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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
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http://www.archive.org/details/managementbreediOOharp 



Management 

and 

Breeding of Horses 



Merritt W. Harper 

Professor of Animal Husbandry 

in the New York State College of Agriculture 

at Cornell University 



New York 
ORANGE JUDD COMPANY 

London 

Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Company. Limited 

1913 



SFzgs" 

Ma 



Copyright, 1913, by 
ORANGE JUDD COMPANY 

A// Rif^hts Reserved 



Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England 



Printed in U. S. A. 

JAN -2 1914' 
©CI.A361410 



PREFACE 

This book is an attempt at arranging information use- 
ful to the farmer, breeder and student. It is the out- 
growth of experience both as a practical horse breeder 
and an instructor. The book includes a discussion of the 
economic usefulness, judging and allied subjects, early 
history, a study of the breeds, breeding, feeding, care and 
management of both horses and mules. Special emphasis 
is placed on the management of the brood mare as well 
as that of the colt from the time the mare is bred until 
the colt is ready for farm work or the market. This in- 
cludes a discussion of the methods of training, overcom- 
ing undesirable habits, fitting, harnessing and the like. 

Because of the increasing popularity and field of useful- 
ness, the mule is given prominence. This necessitates a 
consideration of the several breeds of jacks, as well as 
special suggestions on the care and development of the 
mule-breeding jack, as not all jacks are suitable for siring 
mules. 

In choosing the subject matter a wide search has been 
made and it has been necessary to eliminate much valu- 
able data, as there is quite an accumulation of material 
upon the production, care and use of the horse. In this 
elimination, the author has attempted to keep in mind 
the needs of the farmer, breeder and student. 

The arrangement of the subject matter in a book of this 
class is important. The outline employed has been chosen 
because in experience it seems the most favorable for the 
presentation of the text. Following a discussion of judg- 
ing considerable space is given to the history and de- 
velopment of the several breeds of horses, each breed 
being discussed in a separate chapter. Farmers and 



VI PREFACE 

breeders are interested in the history and description of 
the breed with which they are working. Possibly they 
may not care for the detailed description of the other 
breeds and may wish to proceed with the breeding, feed- 
ing, care and management. The subject matter has been 
arranged with this thought in mind. On the other hand, the 
student of horse breeding is interested in a comparative 
breed study and no doubt will wish to consider each 
breed. In this breed study, the several breeds have been 
arranged in sequence, as far as possible, and not in order 
of importance. This is necessary, as some of the older 
breeds were important factors in forming the more recent 
ones. 

To facilitate a comparative breed study and to promote 
interest in correct type, many photographs of horses of 
the various breeds have been used. Untouched photo- 
graphs have been employed, as they show natural char- 
acteristics. 

Realizing the many difficulties that present themselves 
in the management and breeding of horses, the writer will 
be glad to correspond with those into whose hands the 
book may fall concerning such difficulties, and also to 
receive suggestions that will make the book more useful 
as a practical guide and text. 

M. W. HARPER. 

Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y., August 6, 1913. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

CHAPTER I 



The Horse and His Master 



Saving human time — Horse labor and man labor — The 
horse cheapens production — The horse as a pleasure ani- 
mal — Number and value of horse stock in the United 
States. 



CHAPTER II 
Judging a Horse 7 

Requirements of a good judge — Method of judging a 
horse — The score card — Rules of scoring — Types of horses 
— Method of scoring—Comparative judging — Examine the 
horse in his stall and in harness. 

CHAPTER III 

Proportions and Mechanics of the Horse 26 

Dimensions of the parts — Measurements of the horse^ 
The unit of proportions — Dimensions of articular angles — 
Mechanics of the horse. 

CHAPTER IV 

Anatomy, Unsoundness and Age of a Horse 34 

Anatomy of the horse — Common unsoundness and 
faults — Estimating the age of a horse. 

CHAPTER V 

History of the Horse 56 

Antiquity of the horse — Distribution of prehistoric horse 
— Evolution of the horse — Cause of the evolution— Exist- 
ing species of horses — Ancestors of modern horse. 

yii 



Vill CONTENTS 

CHAPTER VI 

Page 

The Breeds of Horses 67 

Establishing a breed — The light breeds — The draft 
breeds — The coach breeds — The pony breeds — The breeds 
of jacks — The mule. 

CHAPTER Vn 
The Arabian Horse 78 

The native home — Origin — Families — Arabian in Amer- 
ica — Breeders — Description of the Arabian — Popularity — 
Organizations. 

CHAPTER VHI 
The Thoroughbred Horse 88 

The native home — Origin — Early racing — Foundation 
stock — Improvement — Famous animals — Thoroughbred in 
America — Description — Speed records — Popularity of the 
Thoroughbred — Organizations. 

CHAPTER IX 
The American Saddle Horse 106 

The origin — Influence of the Thoroughbred — Denmark, 
F. S. — Famous animals — Description — Classes — Gaits — 
Popularity — Organizations. 

CHAPTER X 

The Standardbred Horse 115 

The origin — Source of Standardbred blood — Hamble- 
tonian 10 — Families — Famous animals — Description — 
Trotting and pacing records — Famous drivers — Organiza- 
tons — Orloff Trotter. 

CHAPTER XI 

The Hackney Coach Horse . 135 

Native home — Origin — Development — Shales — The 
Hackney in America — Famous stallions — Description — 
Distribution — Organizations. 



CONTENTS IX 

CHAPTER XII 

Page 

The French Coach Horse 143 

Native home — Origin — French methods for improving 
horses — French Coach horse in America — Notable animals 
— Description — Speed records — Distribution — Organiza- 
tions. 

CHAPTER XIII 

The German Coach Horse 151 

Native home — Origin — German methods for improving 
horses — Types and breeds of German horses — German 
Coach horse in America — Description — Distribution — Or- 
ganizations — Criticisms. 

CHAPTER XIV 

The Cleveland Bay Coach Horse 161 

Native home— Origin— Decline of Cleveland Bay- 
Yorkshire Coach — Cleveland Bay Coach horse in Amer- 
ica — Description — Distribution — Organizations — Criti- 
cisms. 

CHAPTER XV 
The Percheron Draft Horse 169 

Native home — Origin — Early development — Deteriora- 
tion of the La Perche horse — Improvement — Government 
methods — Endurance of the Percheron — Percheron draft 
horse in America — Famous Percheron sires — Notable 
breeders — Description — Distribution — Organizations. 

CHAPTER XVI 

The French Draft Horse 183 

Breeds of French Draft horses — Organizations — Criti- 
cisms. 

CHAPTER XVII 

The Clydesdale Draft Horse 188 

Native home — Origin — Early development — Famous 
Clydesdale sires — Clydesdale draft horse in America— 
P'amous American animals — Description — Criticisms — Dis-- 
tribution — Organizations. 



X CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XVIII 

Page 

The Shire Draft Horse 199 

Native home — Origin — Bakewell methods — Early types 
Famous Shire sires — Shire draft horse in America — De- 
scription — Criticisms — Distribution — Organizations. 

CHAPTER XIX 
The Belgian Draft Horse 208 

Native home — Origin — Early types — Belgian methods 
for improving horses — Belgian draft horse in America — 
Growing popularity — Description — Criticisms — Distribu- 
tion — Organizations. 

CHAPTER XX 
The Suffolk Draft Horse 217 

Native home — Early origin — Crisp's Horse — Foreign 
tribes — Modern Suffolk — Suffolk draft horse in America — 
Description — Criticisms — Distribution — Organizations. 

CHAPTER XXI 
Ponies 225 

Shetland pony — History — Shetland in America — De- 
scription — Welsh pony — Exm.oor pony — New Forest pony 
— Dartmoor pony — Irish pony — Polo pony. 



CHAPTER XXII 
American Horses 233 

Early importations — Colonial horse-breeding centers — 
Virginia — New York — New England — Canada — Indian 
pony — Mexican pony. 

CHAPTER XXIII 

The Domestic Ass 240 

Species of the Ass — Early history — Breeds of Jacks — 
Jacks in America — Characteristics of the Jack — Jacks for 
mule breeding — Organizations. 



CONTENTS XI 

CHAPTER XXIV 

Page 

The Mule 248 

Mule a hybrid — History — Mule in America — Character- 
istics of the mule — Endurance of the mule — Distribution — 
Organizations. 

CHAPTER XXV 

Principles of Horse Breeding 252 

Variations in horses — Causes of variation — Selection — 
Heredity — Prepotency — Fertility — Sterility — Systems of 
breeding. 

CHAPTER XXVI 
Practical Horse Breeding 263 

Number of horses produced — Conditions favorable to 
horse breeding — Practical plan for breeding horses — Co- 
operative horse breeding — Selection of animals for horse 
breeding — Uniformity. 

CHAPTER XXVII 

The Brood Mare 274 

Care of brood mare — Productive period — Breeding two- 
year-old fillies — Spring and fall foals — Barrenness — Abor- 
tion — The pregnant mare — Working — Feeding — Gestation 
period — Foaling time. 

CHAPTER XXVIII 
The Foal 287 

Ailments of the young foal — Feeding — Weaning — Man- 
agement of the weanling — Care of feet — Castration of 
male foals. 

CHAPTER XXIX 

Practical Mule Breeding 295 

Number of mules produced — Breeding Jacks and Jen- 
nets — Selecting breeding stock — Raising a mule — Breed- 
ing Jack — Mule breeding — Selecting mule — Breeding stock. 



Xll CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XXX 

Page 

Breeding Horses for Farm and Market 302 

Farm breeders' limitations — The farmer's horse — The 
market horse — Market requirements — Value of matched 
teams. 

CHAPTER XXXI 

Market Classes of Horses and Mules 310 

Draft horses — Chunks — Wagon horses — Carriage horses 
— Road horses — Saddle horses — Draft mules — Farm mules 
— Mining mules — Cotton mules — Sugar mules — Export 
mules — Rules of auction. 

CHAPTER XXXH 

Principles of Horse Feeding 323 

The animal body — The food; its composition — Uses of 
the food; digestion — Kinds of rations — Balanced ration — • 
Nutritive ratio — Computing a ration. 

CHAPTER XXXHI 
Practical Horse Feeding 334 

Regularity of feeding — Order of supplying grain, hay 
and water — Food required to grow a horse — Method of 
feeding work horse, driving horse, idle horse, stallion, 
mules — Cost of ration — Sample ration. 

CHAPTER XXXIV 
Grain and Concentrates for the Horse 346 

The cereal grains — Oats — Corn — Oats and corn — Barley, 
rye and wheat — Leguminous grains — By-products and 
commercial feeds — Patent stock foods. 



CHAPTER XXXV 
Hay and Forage for the Horse 353 

Timothy — Clover — Alfalfa — Cereal hay — Millet — Corn 
stalks — Straw — Silage — Roots — Injurious feeding stuff§— 
Foods that influence digestion. 



CONTENTS XIU 

CHAPTER XXXVI 

Page 

Care and Management of the Horse 360 

Grooming — Clipping — Blanketing — Bedding — Care of 
feet and teeth — Shoeing the horse — Shoes for unsound 
feet. 

CHAPTER XXXVH 

Practical Horse Training 373 

Training the foal — Training the work horse — Age to 
train for work — Bitting — Teaching commands — Training 
to objects of fear — Training to walk fast — Training the 
wild horse. 

CHAPTER XXXVHI 
Whims and Vices of the Horse 385 

Causes of whims and vices — Overcoming them — Balking 
— Kicking — Running away — Tossing the head — Tongue- 
lolling — Halter pulling — Difficult to harness — Tearing- 
blankets — Gorging grain — RolHng — Difficult to shoe. 

CHAPTER XXXIX 
Harnessing the Horse 395 

Bridle and check reins — Collars, kinds and fitting — 
Sweat pads and housings — -Breast harness — Crupper and 
back-strap — Breeching and holdbacks — Care of harness. 

CHAPTER XL 

The Practical Horse Barn 407 

Drainage — Ventilation — Light — Cleanliness — Conveni- 
ence — Interior fixtures— Construction — Labor-saving ap- 
pliances — Care of manures — Paddocks. 

CHAPTER XLI 

Common Ailments of the Horse 419 

Nursing a sick animal — Feeding — Giving medicine — In- 
digestion — CoHc — Worms — Azoturia — Distemper — Influ- 
enza — Sweeney shoulder — Sore shoulders and neck — Foul 
sheath — Mud fever — Scratches — Cracked hoofs — Difficult 
parturition. 



XIV CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XLII 

Page 

Stallion Laws and Regulations 430 

State stallion laws — Soundness — Breeding of stallions 
that qualify — National Association of Stallion Registration 
Boards — Result of such laws — Inspection and quarantine 
for horses, mules and asses. 

Appendix 441 

Horse breeders' associations — Statistics of horses and 
mules — Average weights of feeding stuffs — Energy value 
and digestible nutrients in feeding stuffs — Digestible nutri- 
ents and fertilizing constituents in feeding stuffs. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Page 

The American Standardbred Horse Frontispiece 

Saving human time. Plowing the soil 2 

Saving human time. Fitting the soil 3 

Three generations of the reaper 4 

A six-horse team delivering coal 5 

A well-equipped judging pavilion 8 

Light active type 14 

Heavy draft type 15 

Good action 18 

Front view, correct position 19 

Rear view, correct position 19 

Position of front legs 21 

Position of hind legs 23 

Measuring the head 28 

A study in proportions -_- 29 

A study in articular angles 31 

A study in mechanics of the horse 33 

Skeleton of the horse 35 

Muscles of the horse 36 

Circulatory system 38 

Respiratory system 39 

Digestive system 40 

Nervous system 42 

Poll evil 44 

Fistula withers 44 

Collar boil 45 

Buck knees 45 

Sidebone and cracked hoofs 46 

Ringbone 46 

Weak and sickle-shaped hocks 47 

Sound and unsound hocks 47 

Sound hock, showing tendons 48 

XV 



XVI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

Cocked ankle 48 

Lower front teeth at three years of age 51 

Lower front teeth at four years of age 51 

Lower front teeth at five years of age 51 

Lower front teeth at six years of age 51 

Lower front teeth at seven years of age : 52 

Lower front teeth at eight years of age 52 

Upper front teeth at nine years of age 52 

Upper front teeth at ten years of age 52 

Upper front teeth at eleven years of age 53 

Upper front teeth at fifteen years of age 53 

Upper front teeth at twenty-one years of age 53 

Upper front teeth at thirty years of age 53 

Front and side view of teeth at five years of age 54 

Front and side view of teeth at nineteen years of age 54 

Changes in the skull, teeth and feet showing evolution of the 

horse . 59 

Changes in the legs and feet showing evolution 61 

Hunters 64 

Light breed. Arabian stallion, "Anizeh" 70 

Draft breed. Percheron stallion, "Intitule" 72 

Coach breed. Hackney mare, "Queen of Diamonds" 74 

Shetland pony 75 

Arabian stallion, "Obbeian" 79 

Arabian stallion, "Antoe" 80 

Arabian mare, "Hamra" 83 

Arabian stallion, "Deux" 85 

Arabian stallion, "Maleik" 86 

Thoroughbred stallion, "Chocornae" 89 

Thoroughbred stallion, "Hermis" 93 

Thoroughbred mare, "Blue Girl" 96 

Thoroughbred stallion, "Jean Bereaud" 100 

Thoroughbred English Hunter mare, "Isenll" 104 

American Saddle mare, "Carolina" — Major J. B. Castleman 108 

American Saddle horse, "Kentucky Choice" 109 

American Saddle mare, "Edna May" 110 

American Saddle horse, "Kentucky Colonel" 111 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XvH 

Page 

Gaited Saddle horse, "Royalist" 113 

Standardbred stallion "Directum," 2.0534 116 

Standardbred stallion "Bretini," 2.22^ 117 

Standardbred Morgan stallion 121 

Standardbred stallion, "Carmon," at the head of the Ft. Collins 

stud 122 

Standardbred stallion, "Kremlin," 2.07^ 124 

Standardbred stallion, "McKinney," 2.11^ 126 

Standardbred stallion, "Bingara" 128 

Standardbred stallion, "Cresceus" 2.02yi 132 

Standardbred stallion, "Dan Patch," 1.55^4 133 

Hackney stallion, "Enfield Nipper," 136 

Hackney stallion, "Sir Humphrey" 138 

Hackney stallion, "Lord Marlborough" 139 

Hackney brood mares 140 

Hackney stock farm 141 

French Coach stallion, "Paladin" 144 

French Coach stallion, "Chaudernagor" 147 

French Coach stallion, "Fadiavolo" 149 

German Coach stallion, "Nero" 152 

German Coach stallion, "Landgraf" 154 

German Coach mare, "Fope" 156 

German Coach mare, "Funge" 158 

Cleveland Bay stallion, "Beodloin Fred" 162 

Cleveland Bay stallion 164 

Cleveland Bay geldings 166 

Cleveland Bay mares and colts 167 

Percheron stallion, "Calypso" 171 

Percheron stallion, "Klaqueur" 174 

Percheron stallion, "My Lord" 177 

Percheron stallion, "Negro" . — 180 

Percheron stallion, "Jantier" 181 

French Draft horse 184 

French Draft stallion 186 

Clydesdale stallion, "Silver Cup" 189 

Clydesdale stallion, "Caliph" 190 

Clydesdale mare, "Nunas Numice" 193 

Clydesdale stalHon, "Pride of Drumlandrig" 196 

Shire stallion, "Bletchley Royal Duke" 200 

^hire stallion, "Narden Lad" 202 



XVIU LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

Shire stallion, "Lockinge Hingist" 206 

Belgian stallion, "Melon" 209 

Belgian stallion, "Leopard" 211 

Belgian mare, "Bella" 213 

Belgian mare, "Gamine" 215 

Suffolk stallion 217 

Suffolk mare 219 

Suffolk stallion 222 

Suffolk stallion 223 

Shetland ponies at home. Lerwick, Shetland Islands . — 226 

Shetland pony, "Vespa of Belle Meade" 227 

Welsh ponies, "Queen Bee," and her colts 229 

Pony showing style and finish 230 

American Saddler, "Carroll Preston" 235 

Standardbred stallion, "Gay Audobon" 237 

Burro at work 241 

Catalonian jack 243 

Prize jack, "Dr. Hartman" 245 

Prize jack, "General Wood" 247 

Span of prize mules 250 

Percheron stallion, "Galba" 254 

Belgian mare, "Elequante" 256 

American Saddle mare 261 

Shire stallion, "Lord Carlton" 265 

Percheron stallion 269 

Arrangement of breeding hopples 272 

Percheron mares of excellent type for breeding 276 

Belgian mares of good conformation . 278 

Brood mares, showing conformation, soundness and uniformity 283 

Arabian mare and foal . 288 

Mares and foals at pasture 290 

Percheron weanling, well bred and well fed 292 

Catalonian jack 296 

Jack colt, fifteen months of age £98 

Span of prize mules : 299 

Grade Percheron colts ready for market 303 

Shire stallions suitable for breeding farm or market horses 304 

Belgian mares for breeding 307 

Heavy draft geldings, weight 4,000 pounds 311 

Percheron grade, weight 1,925 pounds at 4 years old 312 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XIX 

Page 

Export chunk, weight 1,550 pounds 313 

Wagon horses, weight 3,400 pounds 315 

Coach horses of stylish action 316 

Irish hunter 319 

Percheron stalhon, "Hyslope" 325 

Shire stalhon, "Dan Patch" 332 

Percheron brood mares at work. Weight 3,200 pounds 338 

Percheron stallion and mare working side by side 342 

Fattening horses for the market 347 

Bulk in grain ration 349 

Belgian stallion, "Ludia" 350 

Modern method of making hay 354 

Arabian stallion, "Nimr" 355 

Grooming tools 361 

French Coach grades, well hitched and well groomed 365 

Saddlers, well groomed and well trained 367 

Well-fitted shoe 370 

Methods of shoeing 371 

Catching the foal 374 

Difficult to lead 376 

Bitting harness 378 

Guy line 381 

Rarey's double safety harness and guy line 382 

Rarey's throwing harness 383 

Noose-twitch ^ 391 

War-bridle 392 

Types of bridle-bits 396 

Types of collars _. 400 

Heavy work harness 402 

Light driving harness 404 

Harness repair kit 405 

Horse barn, showing paved court and teams ready for work 408 

Cross section through horse barn 411 

Trotting-horse barn with track in foreground 414 

Litter carrier in use 417 

Hackney brood mares 420 

Shire mare, "Wyderlands Sunshine" 423 

Natural presentation of young 428 

Belgian stallion, "Frank Briser" 432 

Arabian stallion, "Khaled" - 437 



CHAPTER I 
THE HORSE AND HIS MASTER 

For many centuries the horse has been the sturdy and 
esteemed servant of man. There is no more interesting 
and important subject for our study than the origin, de- 
velopment and improvement of the various breeds of the 
domestic horse. He is the noblest of all creatures that 
we have subdued to our will. His acquisition has been 
one of the chief factors in the rise and supremacy of the 
great nations of ancient, medieval and modern times. 
We have no history that is not intermingled with his. 
In all the ages he has occupied an important position. 
This is especially true at the present time. The founda- 
tion of our civilization rests on agriculture and our agri- 
culture rests on the horse. 

Saving human time. — In America we have learned to 
substitute brute force for human energy to a greater 
extent than any other country. The Thirteenth Census 
shows the horse and mule population of the United States 
to be approximately one-fourth that of the human popula- 
tion. In other words, the United States possesses four 
inhabitants for each beast of burden — horse or mule ; 
whereas France possesses ten inhabitants, Germany 
twelve, and England twenty-four inhabitants for each 
beast of burden. Those who settled and developed our 
country were early taught that human muscle was the 
most expensive material from which to procure energy, 
even though the person be a slave. Human muscle, 
however cheap, cannot successfully compete with im- 
proved implements operated by well-bred horses adapted 
to their work and directed by intelligent workmen. 

As a nation we are extremely saving of time, but waste- 
ful of everything else. We have destroyed our forests, 



2 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

wasted our coal and soil fertility; but we have used 
human energy more economically than it has ever been 
used before. The older nations are saving of everything 
but human time. Our extensive use of the horse has 
greatly influenced our national character and history. 
Because we make our labor count for so much, we are 
able to make farming an attractive business rather than 
a peasant's drudgery. 




FIG. 2.— SAVING HUMAN TIME. PLOWING THE SOIL 



Horse labor and man labor. — The horse, properly 
directed, is equal in productive energy to ten men, and it 
will cost about one-half as much to keep him as one man. 
Hence a horse intelligently handled may be made to 
cheapen labor twenty fold over the old hand method. 
Here lies the secret of success in America. The Amer- 
ican farmer is not, as a rule, contented to direct the 
energies of but one horse at a time. He usually har- 
nesses two, sometimes three or four and even more, to a 



THE HORSE AND HIS MASTER 3 

single implement or machine. Where the fields are large 
we frequently see two i6-inch plows mounted on wheels 
and drawn by four large horses plowing as much as six 
and even more acres in a single day, more than a hundred 
laborers could do in a day of the severest toil. A very 
striking illustration of the economy of horse over man 
power may be seen in the great wheat fields of California 
and the Northwest where 14 teams, 28 horses or even 




FIG. 3.— SAVING HUMAN TIME. FITTING THE SOIL 



more, are attached to a combined machine which cuts, 
thrashes, cleans and sacks one thousand or more bushels 
of wheat in a day. One man drives the horses and three 
others tend the machine and sew up the bags. It would 
require at least sixty men to accomplish this task in one 
day with cradle and flail. 

Equally as great economy of human muscle is seen in 
our large cities, v^here men are displaced by horses in the 
transportation of heavy merchandise. Because of the 



4 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



crowded streets only a few horses are hitched together, 
in this case, to assist a single man; but the horses are 
large and strong. A single team, consisting of two 
horses, is able to move a load of four to ten tons over 
paved streets — a load equal to that carried by a freight 
car in the early da3^s of steam railways. 

The horse cheapens production. — In 1830, it required 
an average of three hours and three minutes of human 
labor for each bushel of wheat grown ; in 1896 it required 




FIG. 4.— THREE GENERATIONS OF THE REAPER 



ten minutes. In 1855 it required an average of four hours 
and thirty-four minutes to grow, harvest and shell one 
bushel of corn; in 1894 it required 41 minutes.* The 
heavy, clumsy plow of 1830 has given way to more 
modern implements, such as the gang plow, disk plow, 
disk harrow and the like, which both plow and pulverize 
the soil in the same operation. Hand sowing has been 
displaced by the mechanical seeder drawn by horses. 
Hand harvesting with knife and peg, cradling and thrash- 
ing with flail has given way to reaping, thrashing and 



♦Yearbook, United States Department of Agriculture, 1897, page 600. 



THE HORSE AND HIS MASTER 5 

sacking with the combined reaper and thrasher drawn by 
horses. 

The horse as a pleasure animal. — Not only is the horse 
of service to us in conserving our energies, but he pro- 
vides us with health-giving pleasure. There can be no 
doubt that the horse was used in war and sport many 
centuries before he began to take up our burdens. This 
is fully attested by our earliest written history. In fact, 
the first improvement attempted was to increase the 
horse's efficiency in war and sport and not in economic 



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FIG. 5.— A SIX- HORSE TEAM DELIVERING COAL 

industry. Breeding horses for sport and fashion consti- 
tutes a very large part of the industry at the present time, 
though this work has been affected to some extent 
by the automobile. 

Number and value of horse stock in the United States. 
— According to the Thirteenth Census there are 27,618,- 
242 horses, mules and asses in the United States, valued 
at $3,085,460,483. This value is twenty-eight per cent 
greater than that of cattle, swine, sheep and goats com- 
bined. At least one-half of this horse stock is capable 
of doing work, which is equal to more than one hundred 
million hand laborers. This illustrates the vast addition 
to the wealth and productive power of the nation that we 



6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

secure by the intelligent breeding and utilization of the 
horse, as well as the great economy secured in substitut- 
ing brute force for human energy. This also illustrates 
the strength of the horse as an economic animal. Though 
he has been threatened by the steam car, the bicycle, the 
electric street and suburban car, by the automobile and 
the like, he has steadily increased in numbers and value. 
As a source of power and as a substitute for human labor 
in combination with machines, the horse's economic place 
is more strongly established than ever before. 

Since the horse is such an economic factor in our pro- 
duction and progress, we should acquaint ourselves with 
the history and methods of improvement of this most 
useful and pleasure-giving animal ; so that not only good 
horses may be produced, but that such selection, breed- 
ing, feeding and training be practiced as will secure, not 
only the best horses, but' those which shall be best 
adapted to the work for which they are intended. It is 
not only unwise but poor economy to grow a horse which 
will increase man's productive power only fivefold, when 
a more intelligent effort might have produced one which 
would increase it ten times. 



CHAPTER II 

JUDGING A HORSE 

The ability to judge a horse accurately is acquired by 
careful observation, study and experience. Not all of us 
have the naturally keen observing powers and love for the 
horse peculiar to some persons, who become notable ex- 
perts; but each of us may acquire a practical, useful 
knowledge of the exterior of the horse by methodical and 
conscientious effort. To become a good judge of horses 
is well worth our earnest attention. Such an attainment 
gives us much personal satisfaction as well as the neces- 
sary information for use in breeding, feeding, buying, 
selling and managing horses. 

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD JUDGE 

To become proficient in judging any class of farm 
animals there are three faculties that should be well 
developed — familiarity with type desired, powers of ob- 
servation and good judgment. 

The use influences the type. — In judging horses we 
must first consider the uses for which they are desired 
and the type or breed that will best accomplish the given 
purpose. Thus, if the horse is wanted for light harness 
and fast driving, it would be a mistake to choose an 
animal of the coach type; or if the object sought is style 
and high action, it would be none the less a mistake to 
choose a trotting or pacing horse. The more familiar we 
are with the demand and the type best suited to meet it, 
the better our chances of success. 

Cultivate the power of observation. — The power of ob- 
servation should be well developed. We must train the 
eye to see quickly and accurately, so that there may be no 

7 



8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

mistake in the observations that are to form the basis for 
a conclusion. In addition to seeing things as they are, 
we should be able to detect deviations from the correct 
form. This is often difficult. We may be familiar w^ith 
the fact that a iew gray hairs on the inside of the pas- 
terns may indicate that the horse interferes, and yet w^hen 
WQ examine him entirely overlook the w^hite hairs. In 
such cases as this the difficulty is often increased by the 
horseman attempting to cover up such signs, and this 
should serve to put us on our guard. Having examined 



HIH 


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1 


PHI ^' flAMflin 


WBM 


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1 ■■ '^--Mll 



FIG. 6.— A WELL-EQUIPPED JUDGING PAVILION 



the horse carefully wq should retain a mental picture of 
him, as it often happens that we are called upon to judge 
large rings of animals, and the w^ork can be greatly 
facilitated if wq can remember each animal. Further, 
retaining such a picture is of value in matching teams. 

Efficiency depends on judgment and practice. — After 
having noted each of the horses to be considered, the 
judgment is brought into play to decide w^hich should be 
placed first. In judging horses, efficiency depends largely 



JUDGING A HORSE 9 

on practice and experience. The type or breed to fill a 
given demand, and the value of the horse for such pur- 
pose, are recognized much more quickly and accurately 
by one v^ho is in practice judging horses than by one who 
judges only occasionally. 

Method of judging a horse. — To examine the horse, v^e 
should have him led into an open, well-lighted place and 
stood at ease. First, we should view him from all direc- 
tions, noting his general appearance — form, height, 
weight, action, quality, temperament and the like. To 
impress these general characters the animal should be 
moved around, first at the walk and then at the trot. 
While in action, view him from in front, behind and either 
side. Second, we should make a careful examination of 
the detail characters. To facilitate this detail examina- 
tion the score card was devised. 

In judging horses, we should learn to use our eye 
rather than the hand. The eye is master of the situation 
and the chief reliance with the expert judge. The hand 
should be used only as an assistant to the eye, and may 
be used when the eye unaided cannot determine a ques- 
tion of quality, size, condition or soundness. 

THE SCORE CARD 

The score card gives, in systematic order, a detailed 
description of the parts or characters of an ideally perfect 
animal. It emphasizes the relative importance of the 
various characters. The score card teaches the method 
of seeing the parts or characters in a logical, orderly w^ay 
that none may escape observation. It deals with one 
animal, comparing it with an ideal. 

Purpose of the score card. — It is primarily an aid to the 
study and teaching of stock judging. It enables us to 
analyze the various characters of the horse in a logical 
order. Thus, point by point, we learn to estimate the 
value of each character that goes to make up the animal. 



lO MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

In time, practice with the score card will enable us rapidly 
to look over a horse, note his good and bad points and 
arrive at a correct estimate of his value. After having 
learned the method of examination, the art of seeing the 
parts of the animal instead of merely the animal as a 
whole, and securing an idea of the relative importance of 
the parts, we are ready to discontinue the use of the card 
and take up comparative judging. 

Using the score card. — Two types of horses have been 
placed on the same card (p. ii), although the descrip- 
tion and the numerical value differs in nearly every 
character. This has been done to facilitate teaching, as 
it indicates rather vividly the differences in the light and 
heavy types. It will be noticed also that the card has 
been divided into several main divisions, each assigned 
a numerical value, and these again divided into a number 
of parts or characters, each of which is described and 
given a figure which shows the percentage value attached 
to each particular part. 

In scoring a horse first note the part or character crit- 
ically and if the animal is as nearly perfect as is possible, 
leave blank the column headed "student's," which means 
that the part is worth all the card allows. If the char- 
acter is imperfect, make a "cut," taking away from the 
numerical value given the part, the percentage which in- 
dicates how much it would have to be improved to be 
perfect. Make the "cut" on the percentage basis; that 
is, if scoring say the action of a driving horse which is 
deficient lo per cent, take lo per cent of ten, the numerical 
value given the character, which is i. Place i in the 
column headed "student's." Continue until all parts have 
been scored in the order given and the "cuts," if any, re- 
corded. Add the "cuts," which show the total deficiency, 
subtract this from lOO which gives the score of the animal. 
By this method we can tell at a glance the parts that are 
deficient, as they are the only ones marked. 

When the work has been completed by the class each 



JUDGING A HORSE 



II 



Student should correct his card to correspond to that of 
the instructor, who will then give his reasons for each 
''cut" made and discuss the merits and demerits of the 
horse in detail. 

Rules for scoring. — In scoring a horse on the percent- 
age basis, it is not considered advisable to make a "cut" 
of less than 5 per cent. Seldom will a part desenx a 
"cut" of more than 50 per cent, as an important character 
deserving more than this is so seriously at fault that it 
may disqualify the horse. The scorer must use his judg- 
ment in deciding the proportionate score to allow be- 
tween these limits. 



Student's Score Card. 
HORSES. 





For Draft 


For Driving 


SCALE OF POINTS 






3 


CO 


3 


1 

c3 


A. General Appearance: Draft 35: Driving 43: 

Age — Estimated yrs; actual yrs. 

Height — Estimated hands ; actual hands 

Weight — Estimated lbs; actual lbs. 

Form, for draft, low, massive, symmetrical; for 
driving, high, lithe, indicative of extreme activity 

Quality, bone, flat; tendons, clean; skin and hair fine 

Color, according to breed 


"s 

6 

8 

1 

4 

5 
3 

1 

1 
1 
1 


" 




8 

4 
10 

2 

10 

5 
4 

1 
1 
1 
1 


i_ _ 


.. 


Action, step, smooth, quick, long; trot, rapid, straight, 












B. Head and Neck: Draft 5: Driving 5: 

Head, lean; length, two-fifths height of withers; 
width of forehead, more than one-third length 
of head; depth of head, one-half its length. For 
driving, smaller, carried higheY and more hori- 




Muzzle, fine; nostrils, large; lips, thin; teeth, sound 
Eyes, full, bright and intelligent . . . 




Ears, short, clean, fine, directed forward, wide apart 





12 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



SCALE OF POINTS 



For Draft 



For Driving 



Neck, pyramidal, muscled; throat, clean, fine; wind 

pipe large. Depth of insertion at shoulder equals 

length of underline 2 to 4 inches shorter than head . 

For draft, neck shorter, thicker, more horizontal 

Forequarters : Draft 20: Driving 19: 

Shoulders, long, extending into back; point of shoulder 
to point of withers, equals length of head. For 
draft, shorter and more upright 



Arms, relatively short, 12 to 13 inches, 
more horizontal 



For draft, 



Forearms, vertical, long, 14 to 15 inches; wide. For 
draft, shorter, more heavily muscled 



Knees, clean cut, wide, deep; for driving, 3 inches 
for draft, 4 inches, strongly supported 



Canons, vertical, short, 9 to 10 inches, lean, wide; 
tendons well detached. For driving, longer. . . . 

Fetlocks, wide, thick, clean, free from puffiness .... 

Pasterns, angle 45 degrees, fetlock to ground, 7 to 8 
inches. For driving, long, sloping; for draft 
short, more upright 



Feet, round, even size; horn, dark colored, dense 
sole concave; bars, strong; frog, large, elastic 

heel, vertical, one-half length of toe 

Body: Draft 10: Driving 8: 

Chest in _general, high, long. For draft, wide, half 
height of horse ; for driving, higher 



Withers, clearly defined for driving 

Breast, for driving, high, projecting, 
broad and muscular 



For draft. 



Ribs, long, round curvature, wide apart 

Back, straight, short, muscular; shoulders, to haunch 
equals length of head. For driving, longer.. 

Loin, -^de, short, thick, strongly joined to hips. 



Underline, long; for draft, flank low , 

Hindquarters: Draft 30: Driving 25: 

Hips, level, wide in proportion to other parts, for 
draft, smooth; for driving, more prominent.. 



Croup, wide, long, muscular, 2 to 4 inches shorter 
than head. For driving, horizontal; for draft, 
shorter, more oblique 



Tail, set and carried high, long, full, fine. 



JUDGING A HORSE 



13 





For Draft 


For Driving 


SCALE OF POINTS 


1 














^ 

a 

^ 
a 
5 







Thighs, for driving, long, 15 to 16 inches, upright: 
stifle, deviated outward. For draft, shorter. 


3 
2 

3 

6 

2 
1 

2 

5 






3 
1 

2 

4 

2 
1 
2 

5 










Gaskins, for driving, long, 14 to 15 inches, upright; 
for draft, shorter, more horizontal, heavily 




Hocks, clean cut, large, straight, deep, for driving, 
3 inches, for draft, 4 inches. For draft, wider 

Canons, 11 to 12 inches long, otherwise as above.. 


.. 






Feet, compared with above, more oval, more concave: 
heels, higher, more separated; walls, more vertical 




Total 


100 .. 




100 















TYPES OF HORSES 



There are two distinct types of horses. The light type, 
useful for light work and speed, and the heavy type used 
for heavy draft work. Horses belonging to the former 
type are usually designated "light horses," while those 
belonging to the latter are commonly called ''draft 
horses." Light horses are further divided into running, 
trotting, pacing, saddling, coaching and like classes. 
Draft horses, likewise, are divided into light, medium and 
heavy draft classes. 

The light type. — There is considerable variation in 
type among light horses, depending on the purposes for 
which they are adapted. Thus the trotting horse differs 
in many respects from the saddle horse, and the running 
horse has many characteristics unlike either. However, 



14 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

since horses belonging to the light type are each intended 
for rather fast and light work, they possess many points 
in common. 

In form the light type of horse is rather tall and the 
legs long, so that the distance from the chest to the 
ground is more than one-half the height of the horse from 
the withers to the ground. The distance from the withers 



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FIG. 7.— LIGHT ACTIVE TYPE 

to the knees and from the hips to the hocks is great. In 
general conformation the light type resembles the grey- 
hound. (Fig. /.) 

The heavy type. — In form the heavy type of horse is 
low set and the legs rather short, so that the distance 
from the chest to the ground is about one-half the height 
from the withers to the ground. The draft horse re- 
sembles the bull dog. Weight is important. To pull 
efficiently the draft horse must possess weight. The 
draft horse in fair condition at maturity weighs i,6oo to 
2,400 pounds, according to the class. (Fig. 8.) 



JUDGING A HORSE I5 

GENERAL APPEARANCE OF A HORSE 

In judging the horse first consider the general char- 
acters, such as age, height, weight, form, quality, action, 
attitude, color and temperament. 

Age. — Since the age has an important bearing upon the 
general appearance as well as the various parts of the 
horse it is placed first on the card. The age, therefore, 
should be the first character considered (p. 49). 











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FIG. 8.— HEAVY DRAFT TYPE 

Height. — The unit for measuring the height of the 
horse is a hand — 4 inches. The height is taken at the 
withers. A measuring staff (hippometer), marked off 
in hands and inches, is used where the accurate height is 
required. When such is not available, or where absolute 
accuracy is not demanded, a good way to estimate the 
horse's height is to ''chin" him. Find out how high it is 



l6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

from the ground to the point of your chin when standing 
erect. Stand facing the horse close to his left side and 
note the height of the withers as compared with your 
chin. Gradually train the eye to estimate height 
unaided. 

In draft horses the desired height is from i6 to 17.2 
hands, with the average approximately 16.3 hands. This 
should be due to depth of body instead of length of leg. 
In driving horses the height is exceedingly variable, but 
should be at least 15 hands. This should be due in a large 
measure to length of leg. The card does not give a 
numerical value to height in the draft horse for, as a rule, 
if he is heavy enough he will possess sufficient height.' 
For driving eight points is a perfect score. 

Weight. — The draft horse must weigh at least 1,600 
pounds. This weight should be due to strong bone, 
heavily muscled, as well as to large proportions, and not 
the result of excessive fatness. Weight holds the horse 
to the ground, enabling him to secure a foothold against 
which to exert his strength. Weight brought forward is 
power in itself and the greater the weight to bring for- 
ward the greater the power derived from it. This is of so 
great importance that on the market draft horses are 
divided into classes according to their weight: Light 
draft, weighing 1,600 to 1,700; medium draft, 1,700 to 
1,800 and heavy draft, 1,800 pounds and up. For the 
draft horse eight points is a perfect score. 

Among light horses, weight is considered of minor im- 
portance and no numerical value is given to it on the 
card, as the horse that meets the height requirement and 
possesses sufficient action will, as a rule, be heavy enough 
to fill the demand. 

Form. — The draft horse should be broad, deep, mas- 
sive, evenly proportioned and symmetrical, the entire 
make-up suggesting great strength and weight. The 
body should be blocky and compact, with short, broad. 



JUDGING A HORSE \J 

clean, well-set legs showing fine skin, large joints and 
prominent tendons. Perfect score, six points. 

The driving horse should be more upstanding, rather 
lean, lithe and muscular, having a general appearance of 
extreme activity. In this type speed and action is de- 
sired. Animals of speed possess long bones, long muscles 
and slightly angular joints. Perfect score, four points. 

Quality. — This is a term rather loosely applied and has 
reference to the hair, skin, tendons, muscles and bones. 
Good quality is shown by fine, bright, silky hair; soft, 
pliable skin; clean, well-defined tendons; smooth, well- 
developed muscles ; and strong, smooth bones. Freedom 
from coarseness in the hair, skin, tendons, muscles and 
bones emphasizes soundness and guarantees durability. 
The best way to determine quality is to run the hand 
down the legs, over the knees, hocks and cannon bones. 
The hair and skin should feel soft and pliable to the touch 
and the bones firm and smooth. The fingers should al- 
most seem to touch each other as they pass between the 
tendons and the bones, especially in the light type, where 
the tendons are well detached. Soundness also indicates 
quality (p. 42). Perfect score, eight points for draft 
and ten for driving. 

Action. — While very important, especially at the walk, 
action is usually considered second to weight in the draft 
horse. The walk, however, deserves special considera- 
tion, since it is the principal gait of the draft horse. It 
should be regular, straight, level and fast. He should be 
able to walk four miles an hour with a load. While action 
at the trot is not so essential, it should not be overlooked, 
as occasionally draft horses are required to work at the 
trot. There should be no ''paddling,'' "dishing," or 
"winging" in or out, "cutting" or "interfering," nor should 
the forelegs swing out or "roll," or the hindlegs be carried 
too close together or too far apart. Watch closely for 
lameness. Good trotting action is not only valuable in 
itself, but it indicates many other desirable qualities, such 



i8 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



as temperament, conformation and soundness. Perfect 
score, four points. 

Among light horses, there is no single feature held in 
higher estimation than that of desirable action. Each 
class of light horses has an action peculiar to itself, that 
of the high-stepping coach horse differing materially from 
the trotter, while that of the saddle horse is unlike either. 
While desirable action varies according to the object 

sought, the light horse 
should possess as much 
as may be displayed 
and used to advantage. 
As v^ith the draft horse, 
good action indicates 
many other qualities. 
The walk, in addition 
to being regular, straight 
and frictionless, should 
be fast. This is a point 
often neglected, and 
many otherwise good- 
acting horses are pro- 
vokingly slow walkers. 
Action at the trot varies 
according to the class. 
In the trotter the stride should be long and not too high ; 
whereas in the coacher a rather high, bold knee-and-hock 
action is the most sought. In all classes the movement 
should be straight and regular as viewed from the front, 
rear and either side. Perfect score, ten points. 

Attitude. — This term refers to the position and direc- 
tion of the horse's legs while standing. The legs should 
be viewed from the front, behind and either side, and 
should be formed so as to meet the following require- 
ments : The foreleg, when viewed from the front, should 
be formed so that a plumb line dropped from the point 
of the shoulder would divide equally the knee, the cannon 




Fig. 9. — Good Action 



JUDGING A HORSE 



19 



and the foot, leaving between the two front feet an inter- 
val almost equal to the width of the hoof in the light type, 
and somewhat wider in the heavy type ; when viewed 
from the side the line lowered from the elbow joint should 
pass through the middle of the knee, the cannon and the 
fetlock and fall a short distance behind the heel. The 
hindleg, when viewed from behind, should be so formed 
that a plumb line lowered from the point of the buttock 
will pass through the middle of the hock, cannon, pastern 
and foot, leaving between the two hind feet an interval 
almost equal to the width of the hock. This line should 

also just touch the back 

of the hock and the fet- 
lock joint.''* Perfect score 

for draft, five points, and 

for driving, five points. 

(Figs. 10, II.) 
Color. — In scoring a 

horse the color of the 

hair should be taken into 

account. First, because 

some of the most beau- 
FiG lo.-FRONT View tiful colors fade on ex- 

Correct position 

posure to sunlight, at- 
mospheric action and the like. Second, because there are 
many undesirable colors, such as duns, speckled, flea- 
bitten gray, rusty, leopard spotted and like colors, to 
which attention should be directed. Perfect score for 
draft, one point, and for driving, two points. 

Temperament. — The horse should show a vigorous, 
lively, energetic disposition, yet be docile, teachable and 
intelligent. The temperament is reflected in the action 
and manners. Horses may be divided into four general 
classes according to their temper: Teachable, nervous, 
stubborn and treacherous. The horse with a teachable 
temper is kind and docile. He is easil}^ taught and 





Fig. 11. — Rear View 
Correct position 



*Exterior of the Horse, Gouboux & Barrier, page 464. 



20 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

readily adapts himself to various conditions. The horse 
with a nervous temperament is ambitious and deter- 
mined. He is quick to learn and acts with all his power, 
and if properly directed rapidly develops into the best 
kind of a horse. The horse with a stubborn temperament 
is willful and difficult to conquer. He is slow to learn 
and requires tact and patience, otherwise he may become 
sullen and his senses blunted. The horse with a treach- 
erous temper is very resentful. He acts without apparent 
cause and when least expected. He may balk, fight or 
run away. The other classes when once conquered re- 
main obedient, but not so with the treacherous' horse. 
Perfect score for draft, three points; for driving, four 
points. 

DETAIL CHARACTERS OF THE HORSE 

After considering the general appearance pass to the 
detail examination carefully noting each character, tak- 
ing them in a regular order, that none may escape ex- 
amination. 

Head and neck. — The head should be lean, with broad 
forehead, tapering toward the nostrils, and the features of 
the face distinct. In the draft horse the head will be 
larger, fuller, and coarser proportionately than in the 
driving horse. The muzzle should be fine ; nostrils large, 
open and of pink color ; lips thin; and teeth sound. The 
eyes should be large, full, clear and bright, indicative of 
a kind disposition and good health. The ears should be 
active, refined, directed forward and wide apart. 

The neck of the draft horse should be short, massive, 
well arched and carried horizontally. A nicely arched and 
well-muscled neck of sufficient length, carrying the head 
gracefully, is a very desirable feature of the light horse. 
The windpipe should be large and the outline appear dis- 
tinct from the rest of the neck. The head and neck, as 
well as the neck and body, should blend smoothly at the 



JUDGING A HORSE 



21 



attachments. Perfect score for draft, five points; for 
driving, five points. 

Forequarters. — To give elasticity to the movement and 
to permit of clean action the light horse's shoulders 
should be long and sloping well into the back, thus 
strengthening the back and extending the length of the 
underline; the arms should be short and comparatively 
upright, giving an upstanding appearance ; the forearms 
should be vertical, long and well muscled. The muscles 
should be well developed and stand out distinctly just 
below the junction of the leg and body and taper grace- 
fully downward. The 




%. 



4- 



i 



Zti 



^^ 



X' 



.\ 



i 



knees should be clean 
cut, wide and deep. They 
should be much broader 
in front than the leg, 
either above or below. 
The cannons should be 
short, deep, clean, and 
the tendons well de- 
tached ; the fetlocks 
should be wide, deep 
and free from puffiness; 
and the pasterns should 
be clean, strong and 
sloping. The feet should 

be round, dense, fine in texture and sound. The sole 
should be concave; the bars strong and the frog large 
and elastic and bear the mark of natural usage as a 
buffer. Perfect score for driving, 19 points. 

Among draft horses, the shoulders should be smooth, 
heavily muscled and moderately sloping into the back. 
A slope of about 45 degrees is proper. The arms should 
be short, heavily muscled and extending well to the rear, 
thus giving the horse a low-set appearance; the fore- 
arms should be large, wide and heavily muscled. The 
knees should be broad, deep and well defined, though 



Fig. 12. — Position of Front Legs 

1. Correct position; 2, standing under; 3. 
standing forward. 



22 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

they may not be as clean cut as among lighter horses. 
The cannons should be short, deep and clean, with the 
tendons well detached ; the pasterns should be clean cut, 
sloping, and of medium length. The feet, though often 
inclined to be large, should be round, dense, fine in struc- 
ture, of equal size, and perfectly sound. Dark-colored 
hoofs are preferred, and they should have an oily coat of 
natural wax. The sole, bars and frog should be much as 
suggested above. Perfect score for draft, 20 points. 

Body. — In the light horse the chest should obtain its 
capacity more from depth than width. A deep chest per- 
mits a freer play of the shoulders and indicates staying 
power. The breast should be carried forward with much 
prominence. The withers should be clearly defined. The 
ribs should be well sprung and of good length, as a well- 
sprung rib gives lung capacity and a long rib gives diges- 
tive capacity. The back should be short, strong and well 
muscled ; the loin should be short and strongly joined ; 
and the underline should be long. This combination 
favors action and speed. Perfect score for driving, eight 
points. 

In the draft horse, the chest should be deep, wide and 
full, with the breast broad and muscular. The front ribs 
should be well sprung and long, giving the horse a broad 
back and deep chest. The back and loin should be short 
and heavily muscled; the coupling should be close and 
strong; the ribs roundly arched; the flanks low, giving 
a deep, strong body with an abundance of room for the 
respiratory and digestive organs. This conformation 
favors draft and endurance. Perfect score for draft, 10 
points. 

Hindquarters. — In the driving horse the hips should be 
wide in proportion to the other parts, and prominent. 
The croup should be long, muscular and comparatively 
straight. This allows greater play of the main muscles, 
which is favorable to the production of speed. The tail 
should be long, full, fine and carried high. The thighs 



JUDGING A HORSE 



23 




should be upright, well muscled and deep ; the buttocks 
firmly muscled and well descended; and the gaskins or 
hind legs, from the thighs to the hocks, should be long 
and well muscled. 

The hocks should be large, deep, clean cut and 
properly set. The bone forming the point of the 
hock should be prominent, since this gives a better 
attachment for the ten- 
dons which pass over it, 
thereby giving the hind 
leg a deeper appearance 
and increasing its ef- 
ficiency. The cannons 
should be short, deep, 
clean, with tendons well 
detached and parallel to 
the cannon bones ; the 
fetlocks should be wide, 
deep and clean ; and the 
pasterns rather long, 
sloping and strong. The 
hind feet should be oval, 

dense, fine in texture, of good size and perfectly sound. 
Perfect score for driving, 25 points. 

In the draft horse, the hips should be level, wide and 
smooth. The croup should be broad, thickly muscled and 
moderately sloping, though there is considerable differ- 
ence in draft horses in this regard. The thighs and 
buttocks should be heavily muscled. The direction of the 
thigh and hind leg should be such as will give the muscles 
the most favorable attachment for the development of 
power. This means, perhaps, that the lower part of the 
thigh should be inclined well forward and that the leg 
should be moderately sloping from the thigh to the hock. 
The hock should be wide, deep, properly set and clearly 
defined ; the cannons should be short and clean with ten- 
dons well detached ; the fetlocks should be wide, deep and 



Fig. 



13. — Position of Hind Legs 

standing under; 



1. Correct position; 2 
standing forward. 



24 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

clean ; and the pasterns clean cut and of medium length. 
The foot, though inclined to be large, should be oval, 
dense, fine in texture and sound. Perfect score for draft, 
30 points. 

COMPARATIVE JUDGING 

In comparative judging, instead of comparing the horse 
with a standard of perfection, v^e compare tw^o or more 
animals. To do this carefully examine and compare the 
relative size, height, w^eight and the like ; also the detail 
characters of the horses in a class, to be placed in the 
order of their merit. Make examination for soundness 
when comparing quality. While the horses are being 
moved to compare their action, note their temperament 
and style. 

The horse which is superior in the greatest number of 
these considerations and without notable fault will be of 
the greatest service and will sell for the highest price on 
the market ; therefore, is the most desirable and should be 
placed first. Continue until each horse has been placed 
according to his merit. 

Examine the horse in his stall. — When purchasing a 
horse, if possible, he should be examined in his stall. 
Note the manner in which he is tied to the manger; 
whether he has been chewing the tie-strap or the fixtures ; 
how he stands in the stall, and his general behavior when 
one steps to his side. Note the animal's behavior while 
grooming, particularly along the abdomen, the back of 
the forelegs and the front of the hind legs, as well as the 
flanks. Harness him. Note the manner of taking the 
bit; the general conduct when placing the head stall over 
the ears; the harness over the back; the crupper under 
the tail; and when buckling the girth. 

The horse may now be taken from his stall. Note the 
action as he is being turned around. In a few sale stables 
there is a contemptible practice of introducing ginger into 



JUDGING A HORSE 25 

the rectum as the horse is being taken out, as this serves 
to stimulate him and he shows to advantage. As the 
horse passes out of the stable, the doorw^ay affords a good 
place to examine the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and to note the 
age. 

Examine the horse in harness. — Lead the horse to 
halter, observing the action and temperament, first at the 
walk and then at the trot. These observations should be 
made from the front, from behind and from either side. 
Now attach the horse to a vehicle and observe the action 
and temperament at both the walk and trot as before. 
Do not neglect the walk, as this is a very important gait. 
Note the manner of starting, stopping, turning to the 
right and left, backing and the like. Drive the horse 
rapidly a short distance, stopping him quickly and ob- 
serve the ease and regularity of breathing and his man- 
ner of standing (p. 49). 



CHAPTER III 

PROPORTIONS AND MECHANICS OF THE 
HORSE 

By proportions of the horse are meant the correlation 
and the agreement of the various parts with each other 
and with the body as a whole. The parts of the horse 
when studied in the light of proportions show us rela- 
tions of length, width, thickness, direction, development 
and the like. This detailed study of the relationship of 
the various parts is very efficient in developing the *'eye" 
and the judgment. 

The proportions of the horse are considered from two 
points of view. First, the relations existing between the 
length, width and thickness of the various parts of the 
horse ; and second, the relations of the directions pos- 
sessed by the bones superposed one upon the other, thus 
forming angles. These relations tend to make the legs 
long or short and have an influence upon the production 
of speed or power. 

Dimensions of the parts. — To study the relation exist- 
ing between the various parts of the horse, we must first 
obtain the dimensions of the parts. The lengths, widths, 
thicknesses, and the like, are taken with a measuring 
staff of parallel bars, the circumference with a tape and 
the angles and inclinations with a compass and plumb 
line, although for accurate results in measuring the angles 
an arthrogoniometer should be used. This is an instru- 
ment somewhat similar to a compass. The following 
list includes the more important parts useful in a study 
of the proportions of the horse : 



26 



proportions and mecpianics of the horse 2/ 
Student's Card for the Proportions of the Horse. 



Inches 



Inches 



Height at withers 

Height to highest point of croup 

Height of crest of head from ground , 

Length from point of shoulder to quarter , 

From lowest point of chest to the ground 

From the point of elbow to the ground 

From the point of elbow to knee 

From knee to ground 

Circumference of the arm 

Circumference of cannon in center 

Circumference of foot at coronet 

Length of head 

Width of forehead 

From angle of lower jaw to forehead above eye. 

From throat to superior border of neck 

Circumference of muzzle at angle of mouth 

Width of chest from outside of shoulder points. 

Top of shoulder to hip 

Width across hips 

Length of croup 

From center of dock to point of stifle 

From point of hock to point of hip 

From point of hock to ground 

Circumference of thigh 

Circumference of shank in the center 

Circumf^ence of body at the girth 



Measurements of horse. — Accurate measurements are 
extremely difficult to obtain: First, because the horse is 
continuall}^ shifting his position, which alters the meas- 



28 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



urement ; and, second, because some of the parts are not 
well defined and it is often difficult to know just where 
to begin the measurement. Where reliable information 




FIG. 14.— MEASURING THE HEAD 

is desired, the measurements should be carefully checked. 
The following table gives an idea of the measurements 
of some of the more important parts in both heavy and 
light horses : 

Measurements for Draft and Speed Horses 



Name of part 


Draft 


Speed 


Number of horses measured 

Weight, pounds 

Height at withers, inches 

Height at highest point of croup 

Length from point of shoulder to quarter 

From lowest point of chest to ground 

Length of shoulder . . 


55.0 
1,613.0 
66.0 
65.6 
67.8 
33.5 
27.25 
30.4 
90.0 
26.6 


32.0 

61 ; 7 
61.6 
62.8 
34.0 
23.9 


Length from top of shoulder to hip 

Circumference of bodv at girth 

Length of head ... 


28.5 
70.0 
24.6 







PROPORTIONS AND MECHANICS OF THE HORSE 



29 



The unit of proportions. — In a study of the proportions 
of the horse, the length of the head is taken as the unit. 
This is because the head varies less, perhaps, than any 
other part and its length is easily obtained, as the boun- 
daries are clearly defined. It is interesting to note that 
the total height of the horse from the crest of head to 
the ground is equal to about three head lengths ; that the 
height from the withers and from the croup to the ground, 




FIG. 15.— A STUDY IN PROPORTIONS 



as well as the total length of the horse from the point of 
the shoulders to the buttocks, is about 2>4 head lengths ; 
and that the length of the neck from poll to withers, the 
length of the shoulder from the withers to the point at 
the elbow, the thickness of the body from side to side, 
and the depth of the body from back to the abdomen, is 
equal to about one head length. 

Dimensions of articular angles. — Besides the relations 



so 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



of length, width and thickness which exists between the 
different parts of the body, it is also important to know 
the relations of directions possessed by the different bony 
regions, superposed one upon the other, to form the fore 
and hindquarters. From the manner in which the bones 
are arranged angles are produced. The inclination of the 
bones and the dimensions of the angles have an influence 
upon the draft and speed. Such measurements as these, 
however, are exceedingly difficult to obtain, as the bones 
are so deeply imbedded in muscle that their direction can- 
not be located with exactness. The following table in- 
cludes the more important parts useful in a study of the 
proportions of the horse. 

Student^s Card for the Articular Angles of the Horse. 



INCLINATION UPON THE HORIZON 



Degrees 



Degrees 



Scapular*. 
Humeral... 



Iliac, 



Femoral., 
Tibial 



articular angles in STATION 

Scapular-humeral , 

Humero-radial 

Metacarpo-phalangal , 

Ilio-femoral 

Femoro-tibial 

Tibio-metatarsal 

Metatarso-phalangal 

ATTITUDES IN STATION 
Anterior members viewed in profile 

Anterior members viewed in front 

Posterior members viewed in profile 

Posterior members viewed from behind 



*For location of parts see page 35. 



PROPORTIONS AND MECHANICS OF THE HORSE 



31 



Measuring the angles. — If an arthrogoniometer, useful 
for measuring articular angles, is not available, the in- 
clination of the members and the value of the angles may 
be obtained by sticking v^afers over the joints, on the 
withers, hips and hoofs, vs^hich serve as marks to indicate 
the direction of the members. Place the horse in a good 
position and photograph him. Upon the photographic 




FIG. 16.— A STUDY IN ARTICULAR ANGLES 



print thus obtained the wafers serve as landmarks which 
may be joined by straight lines to obtain the real direc- 
tions of the members. It only remains now to estimate 
with a protractor the inclination of each line as well as 
the value of the angles which are formed by the lines. 



32 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Inclination of the Parts Upon the Horizon and Value 
OF THE Articular Angles in Fast Horses* 





Inclination 




Name of part 


Of the superior 
sigment 


Of the inferior 
sigment 


Contained 


Forequarters 


Degrees 


Degrees 


Degrees 


Scapulo-humeral f • . . • 

Humero-radial 

Metacarpo-phalangal . 


55 

50 to 55 

90 


60 
90 
60 


115 

140 to 145 

150 


Hindquarters 








Coxo-femoral 

Femoro-tibial 

Tibio-tarsal . 


30 to 35 

80 
65 to 70 

90 


80 

65 to 70 
90 
65 


110 to 115 
145 to 150 
155 to 160 


Metatarso-phalangal 


155 



* The Exterior of the Horse, Goubaux and Barrier, page 377. 
t For location of the parts see page 35. 



Mechanics of the horse. — A study of the mechanics of 
the horse enables us to compare the horse with a machine. 
A machine may be defined as a combination of one or 
more of the six mechanical powers — lever, wheel and 
axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge and screw — arranged 
in such a manner as to transmit power in a desired direc- 
tion. In a somewhat similar manner the bones and 
muscles of the horse are combined in such a way as to 
constitute a prime mover, also capable of transmitting 
power in a desired direction. In the horse as in the 
machine power is gained at the expense of speed, and 
speed is gained at the expense of power. 

In the draft horse power is obtained in two ways : By 
the Aveight of the animal and by propulsion through the 
hind legs, body and shoulders. In the light horse speed 
is obtained in three ways : By the long reach of the legs, 
by propulsion and by leaping. In the light horse the 
muscles have a tendency to parallel the bones, thus giving 



PROPORTIONS AND MECHANICS OF THE HORSE 



33 



a slender form; whereas in the draft horse the muscles 
work more at right angles to the bones, thus favoring 
power and giving a massive appearance. It can be stated 




FIG. 17.— A STUDY IN MECHANICS OF THE HORSE 



as a general law that in animals of speed the muscles are 
long and slender and have a tendency to parallel the 
bones; while in animals of power the muscles are short 
and thick and have a tendency to work at right angles 
to the bones. 



CHAPTER IV 

ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A 
HORSE 

In order to be a successful judge of horses it is im- 
portant to be able to recognize the slightest unsoundness, 
as well as to tell the age of a horse. Since unsoundness 
often has its origin in the bones, muscles, tendons and 
ligaments, as well as in the respiratory and digestive sys- 
tems, we should have a general knowledge of the anatomy 
of the horse. 

ANATOMY OF A HORSE 

In this brief review of the anatomy we will consider the 
bones, cartilages, .muscles, tendons, ligaments and con- 
nective tissues as well as the circulatory apparatus, 
respiratory apparatus, digestive apparatus and nervous 
system. 

Bones. — The framework of the horse's body consists of 
the skeleton, which is composed of a large number of con- 
nected bones moved by muscles. The bones that enter 
into the formation of the skeleton are of various forms and 
sizes according to the use for which they are destined. 
They are divided into three classes : Long, flat and 
irregular. 

Long bones, which are composed of a hollow shaft and 
two extremities, are situated in the legs. Flat bones, 
which are composed of two layers of compact bone with 
one of cancellated tissue intervening, form cavities; and, 
irregular bones, which consist chiefly of cancellated tissue 
covered by a thin, compact layer, enter into formation of 
joints. Good examples of. long bones are the humerus 
and radius ; of flat^ bones are the scapula, ilium and 

3i 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 



35 



ischium ; and good examples of irregular bones are those 
of the knee — scaphoid, lunar and the like. (Fig. i8.) 

Cartilage. — This is a strong, flexible, bluish- white sub- 
stance, which is found in connection with bone and of 




FIG. 18.— SKELETON OF THE HORSE 



1. 


Incisor teeth 










2. 


Molar teeth 


15. 


Humerus 


28. 


Pubis 


3. 


Lower jaw 


16. 


Ulna 


29. 


Femur 


4. 


Cervical vertebra 


17. 


Radius 


30. 


Patella 


5. 


Dorsal vertebra 


18. 


Carpus, 7 bones 


31. 


Fibula 


6. 


Lumbar vertebra 


19. 


large metacarpus 


32. 


Tibia 


7. 


Sacral vertebra 


20. 


Small metacarpus 


33. 


Tarsus, 6 bqpes / 


8. 


Caudal vertebra 


21. 


Sesmoids 


34. 


Large metatarsus 


9. 


Sternal ribs 


22. 


Os suffraginis 


35. 


Small metatarsus 


10. 


Asternal ribs 


23. 


Os coronae 


36. 


Sesmoids 


11. 


Sternal cartilages 


24. 


Os pedis 


37. 


Os suffraginis 


12. 


Asternal cartilages 


25. 


Navicular 


38. 


Os coronea 


13. 


Sternum 


26. 


Ilium 


39. 


Os pedis 


14. 


Scapula 


27. 


Ischium 


40. 


Navicular 



which there are various kinds such as articular, tem- 
porary, prolongation and the like. Articular cartilage 
covers the ends of bones that form movable joints ; tem- 
porary cartilage is bone in transition form ; and prolonga- 
tion cartilage forms an elastic continuation of the top of 
the shoulder blade. 



36 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Muscles. — The horse's moving power is derived from 
muscles, which form the lean meat and which, as a rule, 
are indirectly attached to bones. Muscles act by virtue 
of the property they possess of being able to shorten 
themselves on being stimulated by the nervous system. 




FIG. 19.— MUSCLES OF THE HORSE 



1. 


Masseter 


13. 


Levator humeri 


23. 


Serratus magnus 


2. 


Splenius 


14. 


Postea spinatus 


24. 


Intercostal muscles 


3. 


Levator humeri 


15. 


Triceps extensor brachii 


25. 


Obliquus abdominis 


4. 


Cervical trapezius 


16. 


Triceps extensor 


26. 


Rectus femoris 


5. 


Dorsal trapezius 


17. 


Flexor brachii 


27. 


Vastus externus 


6. 


Latissimus dorsi 


18. 


Extensor metacarpi 


28. 


Gluteus externus 


7. 


Serratus parvus 




magnus 


29. 


Semitendinosus 


8. 


Glutens medius 


19. 


Extensor pedis 


30. 


Glastrocnemii 


9. 


Sterno maxiliaris 


20. 


Extensor suffijaginis 
Flexor metacarpi 


31. 


Flexor phalanges 


10. 


Rhomboideus anterior 


21. 


32. 


Extensor phalanges 


11. 
12. 


Pectoralis parvus 
Antea spinatus 


22. 


Pectoralis magnus 


33. 


Extensors lateral 



They are composed of contractile fibers, and their 
strength, other things being equal, is proportionate to 
their thickness. (Fig. 19.) 

Tendons. — These are hard, fibrous cords of great tough- 
ness. In order to economize space, muscles are generally 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 37 

attached to bones by tendons. In such cases, the tendons, 
at one extremity, are united to the end of the muscles, and 
at the other to the bones. It is difficult to tell how the 
muscle and tendon are joined, or by what means the union 
is brought about, for the parts become insensibly blended. 

Ligaments. — These are fibrous structures arranged in 
flat bands or bundles and sometimes in membranous 
form. They are composed of white fibrous or yellow 
elastic tissue, the formicr has a bluish-white, silvery ap- 
pearance, the latter a 3^ellow color and is very elastic. 
Ligaments bind the ends of bones together and thus form 
strong bonds of union at the joints. 

Connective tissue. — This consists of strong, fibrous lay- 
ers and bands which furnishes a supporting network for 
the muscles, skin and other tissues. Connective tissue 
has only the passive action of support, and the more of it 
a muscle contains the coarser and less powerful it will be ; 
though it will be better able to resist the effects of ex- 
ternal violence than one of finer grain. The connective 
tissue, also, forms ligaments, tendons, surrounds bones, 
cartilages, nerves and the like. Where the tissue is 
present in large amounts the underlying parts will be ill- 
defined. This is especially noticeable about the tendons 
and ligaments below the knees and hocks, owing to the 
absence of muscle about these parts. 

The thickness of the skin is a measure of the amount 
of connective tissue contained in the muscle, and as the 
action of this tissue is only passive, the more of it a 
muscle contains, the slower will be the movements. 
Hence the horse having a thick skin and ill-defined ten- 
dons would warrant us in supposing that he was deficient 
in quality. 

Circulatory system. — This consists of the heart, ar- 
teries, capillaries and veins. The heart is the central 
organ of the system and is divided into four chambers — 
the right and left auricle and the right and left ventricle. 
The action and the function of the blood will be best 



38 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HTORSES 



understood by following its course. The left auricle re- 
ceives the pure blood from the lungs and delivers it to the 
left ventricle, then through the arteries, to the capillaries 
in all parts of the body, v^here it is relieved of oxygen 
and other constituents necessary to the life of the tissue 




FIG. 20.— CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 



1. Heart, right ventricle 

2. Heart, left ventricle 

3. Heart, left auricle 

4. Pulmonary artery. 

5. Pulmonary veins 

6. Anterior aorta 

7. Carotid artery 

8. Maxillary artery 

9. Left axillary artery 

10. Dorsal axillary artery 

11. Cervical artery 



12. Vertebral artery 

13. Humeral artery 

14. Radial artery 

15. Metacarpal artery 

16. Coronary artery 

17. Posterior aorta 

18. Cceliac artery 

19. Mesenteric vessels 

20. Renal artery 

21. Spermatic artery 

22. Posterior vena cava 



23. Vena portae 

24. External iliac artery 

25. Internal iliac artery 

26. Lateral sacral artery 

27. Femoral artery 

2S. Posterior tibial artery 

29. Metatarsal artery 

30. Venous network of foot 

31. Internal sophenal vein 

32. Brachial vein 

33. Jugular vein 



and is loaded v^ith waste matters. It is then returned 
to the right auricle and delivered to the right ventricle, 
then' through its branches to the lungs, where it gives up 
the waste materials and receives a fresh supply of oxygen. 
(Fig. 20.) 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 



39 



Respiratory system. — This consists of the nostrils, 
pharynx, larynx, trachial tubes and lungs. The lungs are 
the central organs and are two in number. They consist 
of a great number of small sacs, which are collected into 
lobes of various sizes, each of which is connected with the 




FIG. 21.— RESPIRATORY SYSTEM 



1. 


Cranial cavity- 


7. 


Epiglottis 


13. 


Left lung 


2. 


Guttural pouch 


8. 


Trachea 


14. 


Sternum 


3. 


Nasal cavity 


9. 


Oesophagus 


15. 


Ribs 


4. 


Tongue 


10. 


Left bronchus 


16. 


Heart 


5. 


Pharyngeal cavity 


11. 


Right bronchus 


17. 


Posterior aorta 


6. 


Cavity of larynx 


12. 


Right lung 


18. 


Anterior aorta 



branches of the bronchial tubes. It is by means of these 
lobes and sacs that the lungs relieve the blood of its waste 
materials and invest it with a fresh supply of oxygen 
during respiration. (Fig. 2i.) 

Digestive system. — This apparatus consists of a series 
of organs which receive and digest the food. These 
organs are the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and 
intestines. The stomach of the horse is a single organ 
and is m.uch smaller than the stomach of the cow, having 



40 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



a capacity of about 19 quarts.* The intestines consist of 
two parts of unequal size. The smaller, which is about 
74 feet in length, has a capacity of approximately 70 
quarts, and is called the small intestine. The larger, 
which is about 24 feet in length, has a capacity of ap- 






FIG. 22.— DIGESTIVE 


SYSTEM 




1. Mouth 


7. Duodenum 




13. 


Rectum 


2. Pharynx 


8. Liver. 




14. 


Anus 


3. Oesophagus 


9. Large colon 




15. 


Left kidney 


4. Diaphram 


10. Caecum 




16. 


Bladder 


5. Spleen 


U. Small intestines 




17. 


Urethra 


6. Stomach 


12. Floating colon 









proximately 140 quarts, and is called the large intestine. 
It is divided into three parts, the caecum, colon and 
rectum. (Fig. 22.) 

While the capacity of the horse's stomach is less than 
that of the cow, that of the large intestine is much greater 
due largely to the caecum — a greatly enlarged portion of 
the alimentary tract, linking the small and large intes- 



♦Feeds and Feeding, W. A. Henry, page 19. 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 4I 

tines. Into the caecum is passed much of the undigested 
matter, together with the digestive agencies of the small 
intestine. Here the digestive processes are prolonged, 
thus compensating, in part at least, for the small capacity 
of the horse's stomach. 

Capacity and Length of the Horse's Stomach and 
Intestines, Compared With That of the Cow, Sheep 
AND Hog. 



Animal 


Capacity, quarts 


Length, feet 




Stomach 


Small 
intestine 


Large 
intestine 


Total 


Small 
intestine 


Large 
intestine 


Total 


Horse 

Cow 

Sheep 

Hog 


19.0 

266.9 

31.3 

8.5 


67.4 

69.7 

9.5 

9.7 


137.4 

40.1 

5.9 

10.8 


223.8 

376.7 

46.7 

29.0 


73.6 

150.9 

85.9 

60.0 


24.5 
36.3 
21.4 
17.1 


98.1 
187.2 
107.3 

77.1 



Nervous system. — This system consists of the brain, 
spinal and sympathetic ganglia, and nerves. The dif- 
ferent organs of this system are composed of two struc- 
tures, the vesicular or gray matter and the fibrous or 
white matter. The nervous substance presents two dis- 
tinct forms — nerve cells and nerve fibers. The nerves 
arise from the cerebro-spinal axis and, branching as they 
go, are distributed to all parts of the body. Every organ 
and tissue has its supply of nerves connecting it with 
the brain or spinal cord. (Fig. 2^.) 

The nervous system of the horse is the power which 
stimulates and directs the action of his muscles, and is the 
source of his mental capacity. In general, the amount of 
contraction force exhibited by a muscle is proportionate 
to the degree of stimulation given by its nerves. In con- 
sidering the form of the horse from a mechanical point 
of view, we must not lose sight of the marked difference 
which exists in the nervous system of various animals. 



42 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Thus the horse possessing a very energetic nervous 
adaptation may be a very superior animal even though 
his conformation may not be all that is desired ; or the 




FIG. 23.— NERVOUS SYSTEM 



1. Brain 

2. Optic nerve 

3. Superior maxillary nerve 

4. Inferior maxillary nerve 

5. Pneumogastric nerve, front 

6. Spinal cord 

7. Brachial plexus 

8. Prehumeral nerve 

9. Anterior brachial 

10. Radial nerve 

11. Cubital nerve 

12. Pneumogastric nerve 



13. Gastric solar plexus 

14. Solar plexus, center 

15. Sacro lumbar plexus 

16. Anterior femoral and saphena nerves 

17. Sciatic trunk 

18. Small femoral popliteal nerve 

19. Great femoral popliteal nerve 

20. Posterior internal tibial nerve 

21. Posterior plantar nerve 

22. Internal radial nerve 

23. Anterior plantar nerve 

24. Plantar nerve 



horse of excellent form may be rather inferior because 
of the lack of nervous application. 



COMMON UNSOUNDNESS AND FAULTS 

The imperfections of the horse may be divided into two 
general classes — unsoundness and faults. A satisfactory 
definition of either an unsoundness or a fault is not easily 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 43 

given. The term ^'unsound," as used by horse dealers, is 
often loosely applied. It may mean anything from a 
slight injury to a defect so serious as to render the horse 
worthless. The best usage warrants dividing these im- 
perfections into two classes — blemishes and unsoundness. 
Likewise the term ''fault" is applied to a variety of con- 
ditions. It may signify anything from a mere bad habit 
to a vice that renders the animal worthless. Usage war- 
rants dividing these imperfections into two classes — 
whims and vice. 

A blemish. — This may be defined as an imperfection 
that depreciates the value of a horse without interfering 
with his usefulness — as a wire cut, car bruise, and the 
like — which mar the appearance of the horse but do not 
limit his functions. 

An unsoundness. — This may be defined as an imper- 
fection of so serious a nature as to interfere with the use- 
fulness of the horse, as ringbone, sidebone, splints and 
the like. 

A whim. — This may be defined as a minor moral im- 
perfection, as tongue lolling, tossing the head, tearing 
blankets, pawing, and the like. 

A vice. — This may be defined as a more serious moral 
imperfection, as balking, kicking, running away, and the 
like. 

Locating unsoundness. — The ability to locate unsound- 
ness depends largely on practice; although some imper- 
fections, principally the faults, cannot be detected by an 
ordinary examination, and it is only after becoming famil- 
iar with the horse that these will be observed. Hence, 
to detect faults the reader is referred to Chapter 37, Whims 
and Vices of the Horse (p. 385). In locating unsoundness 
it is well to follow a regular order beginning with the 
head. 

Poll evil. — This is an enlargement of the poll at the top 
of the head, containing or discharging pus. It is a serious 



44 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 




Fig. 24.— Poll Evil 



unsoundness and difficult to cure. Look for scars. 

(Fig. 24.) 
Impaired vision. — A horse by his action will usually 

betray imperfect eyesight. The ears are exceedingly 

active, as if trying to 
aid the eyes. The 
pupils should con- 
tract in the light. 
This indicates that 
the eye is sensitive 
and functional. 
Cloudiness or opac- 
ity denote ''moon- 
blindness" — periodic 
ophthalmia. 

Defective hearing. 

— Lack of mobility in the ears and active eyes denote 

deafness. The horse is unresponsive when commanded. 
Discharge from the nostrils. — The lining membrane of 

the nostrils should be healthy, pink in color and free from 

ulcers, or purple 

spots. A profuse, 

foul-smelling and 

colored discharge 

suggests glanders, 

catarrh, distemper, 

and the like. 

Irregular, decayed 

and broken teeth. — 

Examine for dis- 
eased, missing or 

projecting molars; 

broken or over- 
lapping incisors; "bishoping" (p. 55), and under-shot 

jaws. Broken incisors suggest cribbing. A foul odor 

indicates unsound teeth. 

Broken crest. — The top of the neck should be examined 




Fig. 25. — Fistula Withers 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 



45 



for broken crest, particularly in stallions, and for 
''braided in" mane, as well as sores and skin disease. 

Fistula. — Exceeding tenderness at the withers may in- 
dictate that the horse has 



fistulas, thoug 
there 



h at the time 
external 




Fig. 26. — Collar Boil 



may be no 
signs. (Fig. 25.) 

Fibroid tumors. — These 
occur at the top of the 
withers and appear as hard 
calluses. 

Sweenied shoulder. — 
This is a wasting away of 
the muscles on the outside 
of the shoulder blade. It 
can be readily detected, as 
the shoulder appears flat and 
the blade bare of muscle. 

Collar boils. — Examine the shoulders closely for collar 
boils, galls, and the like. (Fig. 26.) 
Capped elbow. — This consists of 
a tumor or boil on the elbow joint 
produced by the shoe while the horse 
is lying down. Such sores are often 
called "shoe boils." 

Unsound knee. — The knee should 
be examined for bony enlargements, 
pufl^s, scars, high splints, capped 
knee, "buck knee"— bent forward — 
"calf knee" — bent backward — and 
the like. Scars on the front indicate 
that the horse stumbles. (Fig. 27.) 

Splints. — These are abnormal bony 
growths formed at the sides of the 
cannon bones. When located on the back part of the leg, 
near the tendon, or close to the knee or fetlock joint, they 
are considered most objectionable, as they are likely to 




-Buck Knees 



40 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 




Fig. 28. — Sidebone and Cracked Hoofs 



cause lameness. Splints may disappear from young draft 
horses. 

Unsound fetlocks.— Examine these joints for puffs — 

wind galls — ''interfer- 
ing" sores, "knuckling" 
or "cocked" ankles , grease 
heel and scratches. It 
is on or near these 
joints that horses are 
occasionally "un- 
nerved" — cutting the 
nerves to prevent lame- 
ness. Scars suggest this. 
Sidebones. — T h e s e 
are bony growths located 
under the skin of the 
coronet, at the quarters. They are due to the lateral car- 
tilages at these parts changing to bone. Sidebones are 
common in draft horses having wide, flat, low-heeled 
hoofs. (Fig. 28.) 

Ringbones. — T h e s e are 
bony bunches located on the 
pasterns. There are two 
forms, called high or low, 
depending on the location. 
(Fig. 29.) 

Scratches. — These painful 
sores are located at the bot- 
tom of the cannons, at the fet- 
locks and on the pasterns. 

Quitter. — This is a fistulous 
abscess or running sore occur- p,^. 29.— ringbone 

ring at the top of the 
hoof or coronet, sometimes called "gravel." 

Cracked hoofs.— Closely examine the hoofs for quarter 
cracks — cracks extending from the coronary band down- 
ward ; for sand cracks — cracks extending from the bottom 




ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 47 




Fig. 30. — Weak and Sickle-Shaped 
Hocks 



Upward; and for toe cracks — cracks at the toe. (Fig. 28.) 
Seedy toe. — This is a diseased condition of the wall of 

the hoof at the toe, usually 

caused by bad shoeing. 
Navicular disease. — This 

is due to overworking the 

tendons that pass to the 

navicular bone, and is rather 

common in light and very 

active horses. It is indicated 

by a contracted hoof: The 

affected horse usually points 

his lame foot forward when 

standing. It is a cause of 

chronic lameness. 

Laminitis, or "founder." — 

This is due to a congestion of the blood in the region of 

the toe, and is rather common in heavy horses. It is in- 
dicated by rings and 
ridges on the hoof 
wall, abnormal pro- 
jections at the toe, 
convexity at the sole 
and lameness. 

Bunions or "corns." 
— These are located 
in the corner of the 
heels and are rather 
common in horses 
with low, weak heels. 
Thrush. — This is a 
diseased condition of 
the foot in the region 




Fig. 31. — Sound and Unsound Hocks 
1. Sound hock; 2. Unsound hock. 



of the frog, char- 



acterized by a foul- 
smelling discharge from its cleft. 

Fractured hips. — Examine the hips for fractures. Com- 



48 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



pare one hip with the other from the rear. Note the 
haunches at the side of the tail for similar distortion. 

Sore tail. — The black skin of the 
under side of the tail and nearby 
parts is often the seat of cancerous 
or pigment tumors in white or gray 
horses. Note the tail to see that 
it is not artificial. 

Thoroughpin. — This consists of 
an enlargement in the ''hollows" 
between the tendon and the upper 
part of the hock. It may be easily 
detected, as it may be pushed from 
side to side. 

Spavin. — There are four kinds 
of spavin — bone, bog, occult and 
blood. Bone spavin consists of a 
bony growth on the inside and 
leg just below the hock. Bog 
natural depression on the inner 
the hock, and 




Fig. 32. — Sound Hock, 
Showing Tendons 



front of the hind 
spavin occurs in the 
and front part of 
consists of a soft swelling. Occult 
spavin is located in the hock joint. 
The term ''blood spavin" is some- 
times applied to the enlargement 
of the vein that passes across the 
front of the hock. 

Jard. — This is a bon}^ growth 
appearing on the outer side of the 
hock joint. 

Curb. — This occurs on the back 
of the cannon between the hock 
and the fetlock, usually just below 
the hock. 

Stringhalt. — This consists of a 
marked jerking of the hind ]Qg as the horse travels, 
noticeable when the animal starts. 




Fig. 33. — Cocked Ankle 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 49 

Forging and overreaching. — When the shoes of the 
hind feet strike those of the fore feet, the horse is said to 
forge. Overreaching is the striking of the fore and 
hind feet in such a way as to injure the horse. 

Interfering. — When the horse strikes his fore or hind 
feet in such a way as to injure himself he is said to 
interfere. 

Locating lameness. — When standing, a horse troubled 
with a sore foot will extend it forward. When the lame- 
ness is in the shoulder, the leg will be flexed at the knee. 
When in motion, the horse puts down the sound foot with 
confidence and makes an effort to ease the ailing one by 
throwing the head up as it strikes the ground. 

Unsound wind. — There are three defects of the wind — 
thick wind, roaring and heaves. To detect these drive 
the horse rapidly a half mile, then stop and quickly note 
the breathing by placing the ear near the lungs, or the 
neck. If the horse gets his breath with difficulty, he is 
thick winded; if he wheezes and whistles, he is a roarer; 
and if the breathing is irregular, he is likely troubled with 
heaves. 

A horse that has passed through many hands in a short 
period should be carefully examined, for it is likely that 
he possesses some whim, vice, blemish or unsoundness 
that is not easily discovered. 

ESTIMATING THE AGE OF A HORSE 

The value of a horse depends largely upon his age. 
Familiarity with the characters that indicate age are, 
therefore, often extremely useful. A knowledge of these 
characters is easily secured, but skill in their application 
depends much on continued practice. 

General characters indicating age. — The teeth furnish 
the best index to the age of a horse, yet there are other 
general characters that play an important part, especially 
in young and old animals. In estimating the age of 



50 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

young horses, size is the principal factor to be considered. 
In old horses the joints become angular; the poll more 
prominent; the sides of the face more depressed; the 
hollows above the eyes deeper; the backbone becomes 
more prominent and often strongly curved downward; 
and the horse does not stand squarely on his legs, which 
show much wear. White hairs make their appearance 
around the temples, the eyes, the nostrils and elsewhere. 

Age by the teeth. — The order of the appearance of the 
teeth and their method of wearing are considered the 
most important and accurate means of estimating the age 
of the horse, and are the means employed by all horse- 
men. The teeth are not absolutely accurate, however, 
as much depends on the condition as well as the in- 
dividuality of the horse. The teeth of a horse with bones 
of a somewhat open structure are likely to indicate that 
he is older than he really is ; while the teeth of a horse 
with bones of a fine close texture may indicate him to be 
younger than he is. Again, the horse fed on soft and 
succulent food is likely to show a younger mouth, 
whereas one fed on hard, dry food is likely to show an 
older mouth. 

The mature horse has 40 teeth, 20 on either jaw, divided 
as follows : Six incisors, two canines, one on either side, 
and 12 molars, six on a side. In the mare the canines 
are usually absent. Since the incisor teeth are noted in 
estimating age, they alone will be considered. It is the 
order in which they make their appearance that enables 
us to estimate the age up to five years and the manner in 
which their surface is worn that aids us in the estima- 
tion subsequently. 

The colt. — Soon after foaling, usually within two 
weeks, the central pair of incisors make their appearance 
in both upper and lower jaw; the second or intermediate 
pair appear in from two to four weeks and the third pair 
or corners make their appearance about the fifth or sixth 
month of age. The difi^erence in size of the jaw- 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 5 1 




Fig. 34.- 



-Lower Front Teeth at Three 
Years of Age 




35. 



-Lower Front Teeth at Four 
Years of Age 



bone between the foal and the mature horse makes 
a change from milk to permanent teeth necessary. 

Three years old. — 
At approximately two 
years and nine months 
of age the permanent 
pair of center incisors 
replace the temporary 
ones in both the lower 
and upper jaws, and by 
the time the horse is 
three years of age they 
are up and ready for use. 
They are easily recog- 
nized as they have deep 
hollow cups and are 
much longer than the 
temporary teeth. In 
the male tusks may ap- 
pear at about this time. 

(Fig. 34-) 
Four years old. — 

At approximately three 
years and nine months 
of age, the intermediate 
pair of permanent in- 
cisors appear in both 
the lower and upper 
jaws, and by the 
time the horse is 
four years old they are 
up and ready for use. 
The center pair show 
wear and the cups are 
about one-third gone. 

(Fig- 35-) 
Five years old. — 

At approximately four years and nine months, the per- 




FiG. 36. 



-Lower Front Teeth at Five 
Years of Age 




Fig. 37. 



-Lower Front Teeth at Six 
Years of Age 



52 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 




Fig. 38. — Lower Front Teeth at 
Seven Years of Age 




Fig. 39. — Lower Front Teeth at 
Eight Years of Age 




Fig. 40. — Upper Front Teeth at 
Nine Years of Age 




Fig. 4i. — UfFEk FkONI l tETH AT 

Ten Years of Age 



maiient corner incisors appear 
in both jaws and are up and 
ready for use at five years of 
age. At five years of age the 
horse has a full mouth of per- 
manent teeth. The center in- 
cisors show much wear and 
have changed slightly in 
shape, having become rounder 
on the inside, the cups being 
about two-thirds gone. The 
intermediates show wear and 
the cups are about one-third 
gone. (Fig. 36.) 

Six years old. — The cups in 
the center pair of incisors, in 
the lower jaw, have disap- 
peared, or nearly so; they 
have become much reduced in 
the intermediates and show 
one year's wear in the corner 
incisors. (Fig. 37.) 

Seven years old. — The cups 
in the intermediate pair of in- 
cisors in the lower jaw have 
disappeared, or nearly so ; and 
have become very shallow in 
the corner teeth. There is a 
notch in the upper corner in- 
cisor where it overlaps the 
lower one. The teeth show 
marked changes in shape, 
having become thicker and 
rounder from the inside, and 
meet at a sharper angle. 
(Fig. 38.) 

Eight years old. — The cups 




Fig. 42. — Upper Front Teeth at 
Eleven Years of Age 




ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 



in the corner pair of incisors 
in the lower jaw have disap- 
peared, or nearly so ; but they 
are present in all of the incisors 
of the upper jaw, though show- 
ing wear. (Fig. 39.) 

Nine years old. — The cups in 
the center pair of incisors in 
the upper jaw have disap- 
peared; though these cups are 
not likely to disappear at such 
regular intervals in the upper 
as in the lower jaw. There- 
fore, it is not always possible 
to tell the age of the horse so 
accurately. (Fig. 40.) 

Ten years old. — As a rule, 
the cups have disappeared from 
the intermediate incisors in the 
upper jaw. The teeth are more 
triangular in shape, and those of 
the lower and upper jaw meet 
at a sharper angle as the age 
increases. (Fig. 41.) 

Eleven years old. — As a rule, 
the cups have disappeared from 
the corner incisors in the upper 
jaw. However, because of the 
fact that some horses have 
denser bones than others, it is 
not uncommon to find cups in 
the upper teeth as late as the 
twelfth or the fifteenth year. 
(Fig. 42.) 

Aged horses. — A f t e r the 
horse has passed the twelfth 
year, the matter of a year 
or two is unimportant. The 



Fig. 43. — Upper Front Teeth at 
Fifteen Years of Age 




Fig. 44. — Upper Front Teeth at 
Twenty-one Years of Age 




Fig. 45. — Upper Front Teeth at 
Thirty Years of Age 



54 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



value depends on the individuality of the horse, as some 
are worth more at 15 than others at 12. The general 



■^5^. 



v f 




n 



\ 




?«y 



Fig. 46. — Front and Side VIE^xf of Teeth AT Five Years of Age 





Fig. 47. — Front and Side View of Teeth at Nineteen Years of Age 

appearances and activities, rather than the age, determine 
the value. 



ANATOMY, UNSOUNDNESS, AND AGE OF A HORSE 55 

As the age increases, the incisor teeth become more 
triangular, and those of the lower and upper jaws meet 
at a more acute angle. The tusks become large, blunt 
and round. The incisors may grow out so long as to 
prevent the molars from meeting, thus interfering with 
the mastication of the food. In such cases rasping the 
incisors until the molars meet will prove beneficial. (Figs. 

45,47.) 

Irregularities in the teeth. — When the teeth are not 
regular the horse is said to have a **false mouth." These 
irregularities may occur in the number, as there may be 
more or less than the regular number — 36 in mares or 40 
in the horse ; they may occur in the form of the teeth, or 
in the uniting of two teeth ; they may occur because one 
jaw happens to be longer or shorter than the other; 
they may occur as the result of cribbing — a bad habit in 
which the horse bites the stable fixtures or other objects, 
thus breaking the teeth; or they may be due to fraud- 
ulent means, the horseman striving to give the teeth the 
characteristics of that period of life in which horses 
have their greatest value, thus endeavoring to make the 
young appear old and the old young. This altering the 
natural appearance of the teeth is called *'bishoping." 
While many are skilled at this work, it is difficult to alter 
the teeth without detection, though they can no longer 
serve as an index in estimating age. 



CHAPTER V 
HISTORY OF THE HORSE 

The early history of the horse is both interesting and 
instructive. It is interesting because of the marked 
changes that have taken place in the size and conforma- 
tion. It is instructive because it affords the best-knov^n 
illustration in existence, of the adaptation of a race of 
animals to its environment, and shows clearly the in- 
fluence of selection — whether natural or artificial. 

The history of the horse, as now worked out, extends 
farther back into the past than that of any other farm 
animal. He was one of the first animals to receive the 
attention of progressive breeders, his improvement ante- 
dating that of cattle, sheep or swine. Nor do we wonder 
at this when we consider the intimacy of horse and mas- 
ter, their constant companionship, and the dependence of 
man upon his horse in the chase, in the pursuit of his 
foes, or in the escape from his enemies. 

Antiquity of the horse. — The ancestry of the horse 
family has been traced back, without a single important 
break, to the Eocene epoch in the Tertiary period.''' Dur- 
ing this long period, estimated at three millions of years, 
the animals of the horse family have passed through im- 
portant changes in all parts of the body, but especially in 
the feet and teeth, adapting them more perfectly to their 
environment. Thus the earliest known ancestors of the 
horse family dift'ered widely from the horse of the present 
time. These early ancestors were very sm.all animals, 
not larger than the domestic cat. They possessed four 
complete toes on each forefoot and three on each hind- 



*The geologist divides time into eras, ages, periods, epochs and the like. 
Fossiliferous remains of the horse are found in the Tertiary period, which is 
divided into four epochs. Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene; as well as in 
both the Quarternary and Recent periods. 

56 



HISTORY OF THE HORSE 57 

foot. Some scientists believe that the still more ancient 
ancestors possessed five toes on each foot. The teeth of 
these very early animals were short-crowned and covered 
with low, rounded cusps of enamel somewhat similar to 
those of swine, and differing widely from the long- 
crowned, rather complicated, molars of the horse. 

Distribution of prehistoric horse. — In the latter part of 
the Tertiary and in the early Ouarternary periods, wild 
species of the horse were to be found on every continent 
except Australia. Remains of the horse have been found 
in all parts of the United States, in Alaska, in Mexico, 
in Central and South America, as well as in Europe, Asia 
and Africa. The first discovery of these fossil horses in 
the United States was made b}^ Mitchell, in 1826, near the 
Navesink Highlands in New Jersey. About the middle 
of the century Leidy made similar discoveries in Ne- 
braska. Following these came other discoveries, until the 
wide distribution of the horse in America becamic well 
established. Specially rich localities are on the Niobrara 
River in Nebraska, in central Oregon, in the phosphate 
mines near Charleston, South Carolina, in central 
Florida, in southern Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana 
and many other states. In fact, the fossil remains of the 
horse are so abundant in deposits of rivers and lakes of 
the Pleistocene epoch that the formation in the western 
United States has received the name of Equus Beds. 

Evolution of the horse. — The prehistoric development 
of the horse has been thoroughly investigated by the 
American Museum of Natural History. Twelve stages 
have been recognized in the evolution of the horse family 
from the early Tertiary period to the present ; each stage 
being characteristic of its peculiar geological time, with 
the horse becoming more and more developed toward the 
present-day type, as the periods become more and more 
recent. A few of these stages have been found in various 
parts of the world, but by far the most complete and best- 
known series comes from the Tertiary Badlands of our 



58 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

western states. Of some stages all parts of the skeleton 
have been found, while of others only the jaws, or jaws 
and feet, have been discovered. The stages properly 
grouped are as follows :* 

1. Hyracotherium. — From the Lower Eocene. This is 
the most primitive stage known, and only the skull has 
been found, so that it has not been determined what the 
feet were like. The teeth display six rounded cusps on 
the upper molars and four on the lower. The premolar 
teeth have only one main cusp, except the third and fourth 
premolars, in each jaw, which have two and three respec- 
tively. The animals were no larger than the domestic 
cat. Found only in London clay, England. 

2. Eohippus. — From the Lower Eocene. Teeth vary 
somewhat from above, the molars having the cusps more 
clearly fused into cross-crests, and the last premolar is 
beginning to look like one of the true molars. The fore- 
foot has four complete toes and the splint of a fifth. The 
hindfoot has three complete toes and splint. The 
animals were about the size of a fox terrier dog and 
known as "Dawn Horses." Found in New Mexico and 
Wyoming. 

3 and 4. Protorohippus and Orohippus. — From the 
Middle Eocene. In these animals the splints have dis- 
appeared, leaving complete toes, as in the Eohippus. The 
crests in the molars are more apparent, and the last pre- 
molar has become almost like the molars, while the next 
to the last premolar is beginning to assume a similar form. 
This type was about the size of a small dog, perhaps about 
14 inches high. The Protorohippus was found in 1880 in 
the Wind River Badlands of Wyoming and was described 
under the name of the *'Four-Toed Horse." 

5. Epihippits. — From the Upper Eocene. Only incom- 
plete specimens have been found of this stage of the 
evolution of the horse. The molar teeth have the round 



*Made up from Guide Leaflet, No. 9. American Museum of Natural History, 
W. D. Matthew. 



HISTORY OF THE HORSE 



59 



cusps almost completely converted into crescents and 
crests, with another premolar tooth becoming like the 
molars. There are four toes in front and three behind, 
but the central toe in each foot is larger, stronger and 
more important than the toes on either side. 

6 and 7. Mesohippus. — From the Middle and Upper 
Oligocene. There are three toes on each foot and a splint 
representing a fifth toe on the forefoot. The middle toe 




FIG. 48.— CHANGES IN THE SKULL, TEETH AND FEET SHOWING EVOLU- 
TION OF THE HORSE 



has become much larger than the side toes, which bear 
very little of the weight of the body. Three of the pre- 
molars have become like full molars, with crests on the 
crown completely formed. The outside crests in the 
upper molars have taken the shape of two crescents. The 
animals found in the Middle Oligocene were about the 
size of a coyote, while those of the Upper Oligocene were 
as large as a sheep. Of these species all parts of the 
skeleton are known. 

8. Anchitherium. — From the Lower Miocene. This 
stage is much like the Mesohippus, but is larger and has 



6o MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the crests of the teeth higher and more complete. Some 
persons think that this form is not in direct line of 
descent, and consider it a side branch. Fomid in both 
America and Europe. 

9. Parahippus and Hypohippiis. — From the Middle 
Miocene. In Parahippus the crests of the teeth are much 
higher and the upper molars are changing in form, a 
second pair of crescents appearing inside the outer pair. 
Like Anchitherium, Hypohippus is off the direct line of 
descent. The teeth of the two forms are much alike, and 
they are often confused, though Hypohippus is much 
larger, equaling a Shetland pony in size, a specimen of 
this size being found near Pawnee Buttes, Colorado, 
in 1901. The forefoot has small rudiments of the first and 
fifth toes, but there is no splint of the fifth, as in Meso- 
hippus. The second and fourth toes still touch the 
ground, though lightly. These animals have been called 
the "'Forest Horses," and are supposed to have lived in 
forests and on lowlands. The feet of Parahippus were 
much like those of Hypohippus, with side toes smaller. 

ID and II. Protohippiis and Pliohippus. — From the Mid- 
dle and Upper Miocene. The crowns of the upper molars 
have become much longer, the two pairs of crescents on 
the upper molars are complete, with two half-separated 
cusps within the inner pair. Cement fills the valleys be- 
tween the crests, so that with the wear of the teeth the 
edges of hard enamel are backed inside the dentine and 
outside the cement. Thus the surface of the tooth has a 
series of enamel ridges projecting somewhat above the 
grinding surface, due to the softer material on each side 
wearing down into hollows, yet never breaking off, be- 
cause they are braced so thoroughly on each side. This 
provides an efficient instrument for grinding hard grasses. 
In these two forms, especially Protohippus, the crowns of 
the teeth are not so long as in the modern horse. 

The feet in these two forms have but one toe touching 
the ground. The side toes are complete, but are more 



HISTORY OF THE HORSE 



6i 



slender than in the earlier stages and are useless, as they 
do not reach the ground. In some species of Pliohippus 
they have almost disappeared. The forefoot of Proto- 
hippus still retains small nodules of bone, which are the 




FIG. 49.— CHANGES IN THE LEGS AND FEET SHOWING EVOLUTION 



remains of the first and fifth toes. The animals of this 
period were about 40 inches high. 

12. Equiis. — From the Pleistocene and Recent. This is 
the stage of the modern horse. The side toes have dis- 
appeared and are represented by splints on the fore and 
hind foot. No trace remains on the forefoot of the small 
nodules, which in Protohippus represented the first and 
fifth toes. The crowns of the teeth are much longer, and 
of the two half-separated inner columns on the upper 
molars, one has disappeared, while the other has increased 
in size and changed in form. The skull has lengthened 
and the animal is much larger. 

Meaning of the change in feet and teeth. — Along with 
the disappearance of the side toes there is considerable 
increase in the length of the legs, especially of the lower 
part. The surface of the joints, at first more or less of 



62 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the ball-and-socket kind, which allows free motion of the 
limb in all directions, becomes keeled and grooved like a 
pulley wheel, permitting free motion forward and back- 
ward, but limiting the motion in all other directions and 
increasing the strength of the joint. The increased 
length of the lower leg increases the length of the stride 
without decreasing its quickness, thus giving the animal 
greater speed ; and the heavy muscling in the upper leg in 
connection with the increased strength at the joints gives 
greater strength. Additional strength is obtained by the 
consolidation of the two bones of the forearm (ulna and 
radius) and of the leg (tibia and fibula). 

The increase in the length of limb renders it necessary 
for the grazing animal that the head and neck should 
increase in length in order to enable the mouth to reach 
the ground. The increase in length and crown develop- 
ment of the teeth enables the animal to subsist on the 
hard, comparatively innutritions grasses of the dry plains, 
which require much more thorough mastication before 
they can be used as food than do the softer green foods of 
the swamps and forests. 

All these changes in the evolution of the horse are 
adaptations to a life in a region of the level, smooth and 
open grassy plains which are now his natural habitat. In 
the beginning, the race was better fitted for a forest life, 
but it has become more and more completely adapted to 
live and compete with its enemies or rivals under condi- 
tions which prevail in the high, dry plains. The increase 
in size, which has occurred during this evolution, is de- 
pendent on abundance of food. While a large animal 
requires more food in proportion to its size than does a 
small one, in order to keep up a proper amount of activity, 
yet the large one is better fitted to defend itself against 
its enemies and rivals. Thus, as long as food is abundant, 
the large animals have the advantage of the smaller ones 
and tend to become continually larger until a limit is 
reached, when sufficient food becomes difficult to obtain. 



HISTORY OF THE HORSE 63 

the animal being compelled to devote all its time to 
getting enough to eat. 

Cause of the evolution. — The evolution of the horse, 
adapting him to live on the dry plains, probably w^ent 
hand in hand wdth the evolution of the plains. At the 
beginning of the Age of Mammals the western part of 
the North American continent w^as not as high above the 
sea level as now. Much of the countr}^ had but recently 
emerged, and the Gulf of Mexico stretched far up the 
Mississippi valley. The climate was probably very moist, 
warm and tropical, as is emphasized by the tropical 
forest trees found fossil even as far as Greenland. Such 
a climate, with the low elevation of the land, would favor 
the growth of dense forests, and to such conditions of life 
the animals of the beginning of the mammalian period 
must have been adapted. 

During the Tertiary period the continent was steadily rising 
above sea level. At the same time other influences were 
at work rendering the climate continually colder and 
drier. The coming of a cold, dry climate thinned and 
restricted the forests and in their place appeared the open 
grassy plains. The early forest inhabitants were forced 
either to retreat and disappear with the forests or adapt 
themselves to a life on the plains. The ancestors of the 
horse, following the latter course, changed with the 
changed conditions, and the race became, as it is today, 
perhaps the most specialized of animals in its adaptation 
to its environment. 

First uses of the horse. — The first association of man 
with the horse, so far as discovered, existed in the Early 
Paleolithic or Chipped Stone Implement Age. The 
earliest evidence of the existence of primitive man is his 
crude implements chipped from stone, and since these are 
found in caves, river gravels and rocks associated with 
the fossil remains of the prehistoric horse, we have no 
history of man which is not associated with that of the 
horse. It is assumed that man first hunted horses for 



-64 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



food, then drove them, then used them for riding" and 
finally used them as beasts of burden. That the horse 
was used for food is emphasized by the frequency with 
which the remains of the prehistoric horse are found 
associated with those of the primitive man in both the 




FIG. 50.— HUNTERS 



Mammoth and Reindeer Age of the Paleolithic and in the 
Neolithic. 

That the horse was driven before used for riding seems 
to be borne out by this evidence, nor is this strange when 
we consider the small size of the prehistoric horse. 
When the horse was first domesticated is not definitely 
known, perhaps in the Neolithic, as this seems to be es- 
tablished by the findings among the Swiss lake dwellers. 
The horse was used extensively for driving during the 
Bronze Age, as is evidenced by the frequency with which 
the remains of man, horse and chariot are found in the 
caves, river gravels and rocks. 



HISTORY OF THE HORSE 65 

The early domestication of the horse was the result of 
necessity. Primitive man needed help in the hunt, he 
was not as strong as many of the animals about him and 
no match for them in battle, he was not as fleet of foot 
as most game that he hunted, nor could he trail by scent 
as the wolf. Thus primitive man was not long in dis- 
covering that his chief advantage lay in his wits. His 
attention must have been very early attracted to the horse 
on account of his fleetness and to the wolf on account of 
his hunting habits, as these were the first animals 
domesticated. With his horse and his dog, man was 
match for anything that roamed the forest or the plain, 
and with them he established and made good his claim 
as master of all creation. 

Existing species of wild horses. — There are now no 
known wild representatives of the true horse (Equus 
caballus), although related species run wild in the open 
arid desert plains of central Asia and Africa. There are 
two species in Asia, the Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus hem- 
ionus and Przewalsky's Horse (Equus Przewalskii), 
while in Africa there are the African Wild Ass (Equus 
asinus) and the several species of Zebra. In the Amer- 
icas and Australia there are no wild horses. The mus- 
tangs and bronchos of the western plains and South 
America are feral (domesticated horses run wild), and 
descended from the horses brought over from Europe 
by the white settlers. Thus when the New World was 
discovered by the Spaniards they found no horses on 
either continent. The Indians were unfamiliar with them 
and at first regarded the strange animals with wonder 
and terror. 

Why the horse should become extinct in the Americas 
is not known and seems strange in view of the fact that 
both the prehistoric and modern horse found conditions 
agreeable to development. He may have been unable to 
stand the cold winters, probably longer continued and 
more severe during the Ice Age than now. The com- 



66 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

petition with the bison and the antelope, which had recently 
migrated to America, may have made it more difficult 
than formerly for the horse to get a living. Probably 
primitive men in the hunt played a large part in ex- 
tinguishing the race. Some unknown disease or pro- 
longed season of drouth may have aided in the extermina- 
tion. 

Ancestors of modern horse. — The connecting link be- 
tween the prehistoric horse and the modern horse is not 
definitely known, but is assumed to be the present form 
of zebra, the Asiatic and African wild ass, and Przewal- 
sky horse. The latter was discovered on the desert of 
Zungaria in western Mongolia in Asia by Poliakoff, in 
1881. This animal stood about 40 inches high and is as- 
sumed to be similar in type to the horse as known by 
primitive man. The drawings left by the European cave 
dwellers show a strong resemblance to this type, and it is 
probable that from such an ancestor have come the ponies 
of northern Europe as well as of Mongolia and China. 



CHAPTER VI 
THE BREEDS OF HORSES 

A breed may be defined as a group or class of animals 
possessing a number of distinctive qualities and char- 
acteristics in common, which are so firmly fixed as to be 
transmitted with reasonable certainty under suitable 
environment. In America, there are six rather common 
breeds of light horses, four of coach horses, six of draft 
horses, five of ponies, and six of jacks. 

Establishing a breed. — A breed is usually started by 
one, two or more superior animals which have been 
produced in a locality by reason of better food, more 
agreeable environment and intelligent selection. In- 
breeding is often practiced to a greater or less extent for 
the purpose of perpetuating and intensifying one or more 
of the desired characteristics. As a rule, this work is 
carried on by one, or at most a few, of the more intelli- 
gent breeders, who, by im.proving conditions, have first 
improved the quality of their own horses. This work is 
continued until a number of animals are produced, each 
possessing the desirable characteristics and having them 
so strongly fixed as to be uniformly transmitted. The 
American saddle horse furnishes a typical example. 
Denmark, the most distinguished saddler of his time, was 
bred to ''Stevenson's mare," and produced Gaine's Den- 
mark, Muir's Denmark and Rob Roy. These animals, 
more especially the former, proved great breeding 
stallions, and from them are descended many of the best 
saddle horses. 

From time to time, one or more animals with superior 
characteristics are selected from a breed and these are 
closely bred for a time, producing a variety or "family." 
The Hambletonian family of trotters, descending from 

67 



6S MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Hambletonian lo, furnishes a good example ; for to him 
may be traced the most illustrious trotters of history. 

The breed stud book. — When the founders of a breed 
decide that the distinctive characteristics are reasonably 
well fixed, they publish what is known of the breeding of 
the better animals and call the volume, in which this 
record of breeding appears, a stud book. Thus the breed 
makes its official appearance. It will readily be seen that 
when an attempt is made to start a breed, the first pedi- 
grees must be based on unpublished records. Frequently 
the foundation stock is recorded simply by name, and 
nothing is said of the ancestors, because nothing is 
known. At first the rules governing the registration are 
not difficult, and half-bloods, three-fourths bloods, and 
even animals of unknown origin are sometimes registered. 
As years go by, however, the rules for admission to regis- 
tration are made more strict, and finally no animal is 
eligible for record whose sire and dam are not recorded. 

The stud book stimulates maintenance of breed purity ; 
it certifies to a line of descent from ancestors of high class, 
and is a most important factor in live stock improvement. 
Other things being equal, the longer the breed has been 
established the greater are the 'chances that the offspring 
will closely resemble its ancestors in all of its character- 
istics. If one is familiar with the breed under considera- 
tion, he will quickly recognize the names of the superior 
animals recorded in the pedigree. This will naturally 
lead to a study of the history and performance, which is 
likely to result in an endeavor to improve the breed along 
definite lines, and this in turn serves to stimulate an 
honest pride in the breeder's profession. 

Records of performance. — The main use of the stud 
book is to preserve a record whereby we may trace the 
descent of our animals to the purest source, but it tells 
us nothing of the individual merits of the animals re- 
corded. If this register could be supplemented by a 
record of performance, it would be of greater value still. 



THE BREEDS OF HORSES 69 

This is emphasizd by the advancement made in breeding 
Standardbred horses, where an accurate record of the per- 
formance of each animal is recorded in Wallace's Year 
Book; also by the recent advancement made in breeding 
dairy cattle, where an accurate record of the amount of 
milk and butter fat produced by each cow is made in the 
Advanced Registry. 

The difficulty in keeping a record of performance 
among horses, other than the trotters and pacers, comes 
in knowing what characteristics to record ; but it is hoped 
in the near future some characteristics, which will prove 
of merit, may be decided upon and an accurate record 
made of them, as such would be of great value in selecting 
breeding stock and in mating. 

The light breeds. — The several breeds of horses, as we 
find them, have been developed along certain definite lines 
to meet given conditions. Thus, we have the various 
light breeds developed to perform rather light, but very 
fast work; the coach breeds for stylish action and heavy 
coach work; the draft breeds to perform heavy draft 
work, and the like. The 'light breeds were developed 
under conditions fundamentally different from those that 
resulted in the heavy phlegmatic drafter. 

Each of the light breeds of horses owes its improve- 
ment, in part at least, to horses from the East, particu- 
larly Arabia, Turkey, Persia and the Sahara region. Con- 
ditions in these countries are such as to develop rather 
light horses of quality and endurance. Arabia, especially, 
is noted for the qualit}^ of her horses, as the rather dry, 
barren soil makes it necessary for the animals to graze 
over large areas to get sufficient nutrients. Thus a 
natural selection is continually at work and only those 
animals of quality and endurance survive. Further, it is 
stated, that the forage, though scant, stimulates the de- 
velopment of dense firm bone. It would seem, therefore, 
that high lands, possessing a rather dry climate and pro- 



70 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



viding a scant but nutritious forage, furnish ideal con- 
ditions for development of the light breeds. 

Since the breeds of light horses are useful for light, fast 
work, they possess many characteristics in common, yet a 
detail consideration reveals much difference in both size 





I 



•A.NIZEB' 



FIG. 51.— LIGHT BREED. ARABIAN STALLION "ANIZEH" 

and conformation. Thus the Arabian horse is a small, 
symmetrical animal of great beauty. There is a peculiar 
balance and harmony throughout that must be seen to 
be appreciated. The Thoroughbred horse is more upstand- 
ing, his joints and muscles are more prominent and he 
represents the highest possible development of muscular 
energy. The American trotter, though lean and angular, 
possesses more general symmetrythan theThoroughbred. 
The American saddler has been justly called the most 
beautiful modern breed. The graceful form and smooth, 
frictionless action are remarkable examples of the results 
of skillful breeding. 



THE BREEDS OF HORSES 



71 



Table Giving Name, Native Country, Height, Weight, 
Uses and Color of Each of the Breeds of Light 
Horses 



Name of breed 


Native country 


Height, hands 
Weight, pounds 


Uses 


Most frequent 
color 


Arabian 


Arabia 


14 - 14.2* 
800 - 1,000 


Riding 


White. 
Bay 


Thoroughbred 


England 


14.2 - 16.2 
900 - 1,050 


Racing, 
hunting 


Bay, brown 


Standardbred 


United States 


15 - 15.3 
900 - 1,150 


Driving, 
racing 


Bay, brown, 
black 


Orloff Trotter 


Russia 


15.3 - 16.2 
1,100 - 1,300 


Driving, 
racing 


Grav, bav, 
black 


American Saddler 


United States 


15.U - 15.21 
950 - 1,050 


Riding, 
driving 


Bay, brown, 
black 


M organ t 


United States 


14.3 - 15.3 
900 - 1,150 


Driving, 

riding, 

racing 


Bay, 
chestnut 



* 14.2 equals 14 hands and 2 inches. All heights are recorded in this manner 
in this book. 

t Usually not considered a breed, merely a family of the Standardbred. 

The draft breeds. — The horse is very susceptible to 
climatic conditions, perhaps more so than any other 
animal domesticated by man. Temperate climate, fertile, 
grassy plains w^ith abundant nutrition, produce horses 
distinguished for size and strength ; and, as v^e have seen, 
high lands and mountain ranges, v^ith bleak, cold climate 
and scanty subsistence, dw^arf the frame and produce a 
hardy, diminutive animal. There is no exception to this in 
Nature, though man may do much by supplying w^arm 
stables and abundant food, and by selection to counteract 
the influence of climate, but w^ith the utmost care the 
tendency w^ill be much as suggested. Thus the fertile 
plains of Germany and France (Flanders region), v^ith 
their agreeable climate and abundant herbage, have pro- 



"JZ MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

duced the ponderous draft horse, which still distinguishes 
the region, and has been the source from which all the 
countries have drawn the foundation for their draft 
breeds. 

Since the breeds of draft horses are used for heavy 
draft, they possess most of their characters in common. 



li i 



FIG. 52. DRAFT BREED. PERCHERON STALLION "INTITULE" 

There is less difference between the heavy breeds than 
among the light breeds, though a detail study reveals 
variation. Thus, the Percheron horse is a large, massive, 
smooth, short-bodied, clean-legged drafter, often possess- 
ing a rather short rump with tail set low. The French 
draft horse appears much the same, though as a breed 
the animals lack uniformity. The Clydesdale is equal to 
the Percheron in weight, but lacks in massiveness, in that 
he is more upstanding and longer in the body. Long hair 
grows from the back of the cannons. The English Shire 



THE BREEDS OF HORSES 



73 



resembles the Clydesdale in general appearance, but is 
more massive, possessing shorter legs and a larger and 
deeper body: The Belgian horse has a very compact 
form, a full body with short rump and tail set low, and 
clean legs. The Suffolk horse is not so large as the other 
draft breeds, but is rather massive and noted for depth of 
body. The legs are clean. 

Table Giving Name, Native Country, Height, Weight, 
Uses and Color of Each of the Breeds of Draft 
Horses 



Name of breed 


Native country 


Height, hands 
Weight, pounds 


Uses 


Most frequent 
color 


Percheron 


France 


15.2 - 17 
1,800 - 2,300 


Heavy 
hauling 


Black. 

gray 


French Draft 


France 


15.2 - 17 
1,800 - 2,300 


Heavy 
hauling 


Black, 
gray 


Clydesdale ' 


Scotland 


16 - 16.2 
1,800 - 2,300 


Heavy 
hauling 


Light bay 


Shire 


England 


16 - 17 
1,800 - 2,300 


Heavy 
hauling 


Light bay 


Belgian 


Belgium 


16 - 17 
1,600 - 2,300 


Heavy 
hauling 


Bay, black, 
brown 


Suffolk 


England 


16 - ,17 
1,600 - 2,000 


Heavy 
hauling 


Chestnut 



The coach breeds. — The coach breeds owe their im- 
provement, in part at least, to the light breeds, particu- 
larly the Thoroughbred, which was used more or less in 
the formation of each of the coach breeds. Since the 
coach breeds are useful for stylish action and heavy coach 
work they each possess many characters in common, but 
a detail consideration reveals great variation. Thus the 
Hackney coach horse is a rather small, symmetrical animal 
with intelligent head, neat neck, strong level back, power- 



74 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



ful loins and short legs, and possesses stylish action. 
The French coach horse is large, though smooth, with a 
body of good length, an arching neck, strong loin and 

level croup. The 
German coach 
horse is still larger, 
with a broad deep 
body, pov/erful 
loins and legs of 
good length. The 
Cleveland bay 
coach horse is more 
upstanding, with a 
rather long, though 
symmetrical body, 
sloping shoulders 
and a high, broad 
croup. The action 
of the French 
coach, German coach and Cleveland bay is long and 
powerful, rather than high and stylish, as in the Hackney. 

Table Giving Name, Native Country, Height, Weight, 
Uses and Color of Each of the Breeds of Coach 
Horses 




Fig. 53. — Coach Breed. Hackney Mare "Queen 
OF Diamonds" 



Name of breed 


Native country 


Height, hands 
Weight, pounds 


Uses 


Most frequent 
color 


Hackney 


England 


15.2 - 15.3 
1,000 - 1,200 


Park 
driving 


Chestnut 


French Coach 


France 


15 - 16 
1,200 - 1,350 


Coach 
driving 


Bay, brown, 
chestnut 


German Coach 


Germany 


16 - 16.2 
1,350 - 1,450 


Heavy 
coach driv- 
ing, gener- 
al utility 


Black, 
brown, 
chestnut 


Cleveland Bay 


England 


16 - 16.3 
1,200 - 1,550 


General 

utility 


Bay 



THE BREEDS OF HORSES 



75 



The pony breeds. — The various breeds of ponies owe 
their small size to adverse climatic conditions and scanty 
subsistence. The pony breeds vary greatly in both size 
and conformation, 
according to 
the environment. 
Thus, the Shet- 
land pony is a 
very diminutive 
animal, but pos- 
sessing a confor- 
mation similar to 
a small draft 
horse; the Welsh 
pony is more up- 
standing, and 
while varying con- 
siderable in con- F'G. 54.-Shetland Pony 

formation, is somewhat similar in this respect to the 
light breeds ; the Exmoor pony is equal in size to the 
larger type of Welsh ponies, which it resembles slightly 
in conformation, though is more massive; while the 
Hackney and Arab ponies are simply Hackneys and 
Arabian horses under 14.1 hands high. 

Table Giving Name, Native Country, Height, Weight, 
Uses and Color of Each of the Breeds of Ponies 




Name of breed 


Native country 


Height, inches 
Weight, pounds 


Uses 


Most frequent 
color 


Shetland 


Shetland 
Islands 


34 - 44 
250 - 400 


Driving, 
riding 


Black, 
brown 


Welsh 


Wales 


48 - 56 
400 - 600 


Driving, 
riding 


Brown, 
gray 


Exmoor 


Devonshire 


48 - 56 
500 - 700 


Driving, 
riding 


Bay, gray 


Arabian 


Arabia 


Under 56 


Driving 
riding 


White, bay 


Hackney 


England 


Under 56 


Driving, 
riding 


Chestnut 



76 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



The breeds of jacks. — The several breeds of jacks vary 
in conformation and size, though the differences are not 
so marked as in horses. The variations in jacks are 
brought about by the same condition as in the horse. The 
Andalusian jack is of medium size, w^ith excellent bone, 
possessing much substance; the Maltese jack is of small 
size, with rather fine bone and perhaps too much general 
refinement; the Catalonian jack is of large size, possess- 
ing unusual style, beauty and action; the Majorca jack 
is the largest, standing a hand higher than the Catalonian, 
but the animal is sluggish in action; the Italian jack is 
the smallest, though w^ell proportioned and possessing 
good quality; while the Poitou jack is of medium size, 
possessing large bone of much substance. 

Table Giving Name,^ Native Country, Height, Use and 
Color of the Breeds of Jacks 



Name of breed 


Native country 


Height, hands 


Use 


Most frequent 
color 


Andalusian 


Andalusia, 
Spain 


14.2 - 15.2 


Siring 
mules 


Gray 


Maltese 


Malta Island 


14 - 14.2 


Siring 
mules 


Brown, 
black 


Catalonian 


Catalonia, 
Spain 


14.2 - 15.2 


Siring 
mules 


Black, 
brown 


Majorca 


Majorca Island 


15 - 16 


Siring 
mules 


Black 


Italian 


Italy 


13 - 14 


Siring 
mules 


Blue, black 


Poitou 


France 


14.2 - 15 


Siring 
mules 


Black 



Mule and hinny. — The mule is not a true breed, as 
often considered, but is a hybrid, as is the hinny. The 
mule is the product of a cross between a jack and a mare. 



THE BREEDS OF HORSES "JJ 

while the hinny results from crossing a stallion and a 
jennet. Being hybrids, both the mule and the hinny are 
sterile and will not breed, though several cases are on 
record of mare mules getting in foal and producing to a 
stallion. While the mule has been known many cen- 
turies, and is a very useful animal, the hinny is seldom 
seen and plays no part in economic industry. 

Breed study necessary. — The horse breeder should have 
a knowledge of the early development and peculiarities 
of the breeds of horses. He should know that Percheron 
improvement was due to an infusion of Arabian blood 
and that until recently this breed was small and not a 
heavy horse, hence the bone of the Percheron horse is to 
be carefully observed. The breeder should know that the 
Clydesdale has a rather short rear rib, with a tendency to 
ranginess of body ; that the Shire has a tendency to straight 
shoulders, straight pasterns and flat feet; and that the 
Suffolk is often criticized for lack of quality in his feet. 
The horse breeder must be aware of all such peculiarities 
in order that he may guard against them in selecting 
breeding stock. 



CHAPTER VII 
THE ARABIAN HORSE 

Although the Arabian horse played an important part 
in the formation of practically all modern breeds of 
horses, it is only recentl}'" that an organization has been 
formed for its promotion. This breed performed its part 
in the development of the horse because of merit. 

The native home of the Arab horse. — Arabia is the 
native home of the Arabian horse. This is a vast country 
some 1,500 miles long and from 400 to 1,000 vv^ide, lying 
east of the Red Sea, vv^ith the northern boundary not far 
from the east end of the Mediterranean Sea. Though 
large, its chief characteristic is the barrenness and aridity 
of its soil. The inhabitants, called Bedouins, are of two 
classes, the agriculturist and the warrior. The former is, 
of course, the more domestic, while the latter is migratory, 
having no occupation other than war, and keeps at least 
one mare always saddled so that he may spring on her 
back at the slightest alarm. While there are several 
groups of these desert Bedouin tribes, the most powerful 
are the Sham.mar race of Mesopotamia, in the north and 
to the east of the Euphrates, and the Anezah in the 
south. Turkey, Persia and parts of northern Africa, 
notably the Sahara region, also possess many Arabian 
horses. These countries and others are often collectively 
spoken of as the ''Orient" (the East) and their horses as 
''Oriental horses." 

The origin of the Arabian horse. — The early history of 
the Arab horse is obscure. Youatt states that as late as 
the seventh century the Arabs had few horses and those 
of little value. Major Upton and Lady Anne Blunt, who 
lived among the Bedouins for months. Blunt with the 
Shammar and Upton with the Anezah, and spoke their 

78 



THE ARABIAN HORSE 



79 



language, give what is accepted to be more definite and 
satisfactory information on the subject. They trace the 
origin back to the time of Ishmael, whom they say prob- 
ably was contemporary with Isaac. x\ccording to the 
tradition, Ishmael inherited a valuable horse from the 
Kuhl race of very remote antiquity. The Anezah tribes 
who, by common consent of all the Bedouins, are the most 
wealthy, the most powerful, and have the best horses. 











i4lii.i^Si&smu.MA&Ai>iii&S^f^Stl£:A>kMmii 



im^^SMi^^^s.^ 



FIG. 55.— ARABIAN STALLION "OBBEIAN" 



descended in a direct line from Ishmael through Sheik 
Salaman, four generations removed from Ishmael. Sala- 
man lived about 1635 B. C, and owned five famous mares 
called "Al-Khamseh" (the five). The blood of the Kuhl 
race has been preserved in these mares and from this 
ancestry has come the purest and best Arab horses. 

Families of Arab horses. — According to Upton there 
are five great families of Arabian horses descending from 



8o MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

foundation stock tracing to the five Al-Khamseh mares. 
The names are as follows : 

1. Keheilet Ajuz and descendants. 

2. Maneghi, with four sub-families. 

3. Hadban, with five sub-families. 

4. Jelfon, with two sub-families. 

5. Homdani, with two sub-families. 

From Keheilet Ajuz comes the most distinguished 
Arabian blood. According to tradition, this family 




FIG. 56.— ARABIAN STALLION "ANTOE" 

descended from a mare that gave birth to a filly colt 
when on a long and rapid journey, her master being pur- 
sued by an enemy. He left the colt where foaled and 
continued his journey, reaching his own camp after much 
difficulty. To the great surprise of all, the young filly 
came in also a few hours later, having followed the dam. 
The foal was placed in charge of an old woman, who 
raised her, hence the name Keheilet Ajuz (''the mare of 
the old woman"), Ajuz meaning woman and Keheilet 



THE ARABIAN HORSE 8 1 

mare, while Keheilan signifies stallion. Keheilet and 
Keheilan are derived from the word Kuhl, which means 
antimony, a substance which Arabian women use to 
blacken their eyebrows and eyelashes. 

Upton states that the entire race of pure-bred horses of 
the Anezah have black skins irrespective of coat color, 
which he thinks accounts for the use of the words Ke- 
heilet and Keheilan. The Anezah Bedouin, however, 
declines to consider any animal as Keheilet or Keheilan, 
the pedigree of which does not go back to the five Al- 
Khamseh mares of Salaman. 

Descendants of Keheilet Ajuz. — According to Upton 37 
strains or sub-families have descended from Keheilet 
Ajuz, five through mares and 32 through stallions, in ad- 
dition to eight other families, some of which are so dis- 
tinguished as to be confused with the five Al-Khamseh 
mares. The eight families that are of recognized merit 
are as follows : 

1. Seglawi, with three sub-families. 

2. Abeyan, with seven sub-families. 

3. Dalman, with four sub-families. 

4. Abu Arkab, with three sub-families. 

5. Rishon, with two sub-families. 

6. Radban, with three sub-families. 

7. Twaissan, with two sub-families. 

8. Milliah, with two sub-families. 

The influence of the Arabian horse. — As early as the 
reign of King James I. (1603- 1625) Arabian horses were 
imported into England and crossed with the light horse 
stock, though it was not until after the middle of the 
century that the English begun to appreciate the im- 
portance of Oriental blood. During the reign of Charles 
II (1660-1685) the so-called "Royal Mares'' were im- 
ported, while during that of William and Mary (1689- 
1702), Anne (1702-1714) and George I. (1714-1727), 
Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Bard were 



82 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

introduced, and became foundation stock of the Thorough- 
bred. From Darley Arabian is descended the best Hack- 
ney blood. Since the time of James I. many eastern 
horses, J. Osborne placing the number at 164, have been 
imported to England. These played an important part 
in the formation and improvement of both the Hackney 
and the Thoroughbred. Of this number, Osborne says 90 
w^ere Arabs, 36 Barbs, 32 Turks, four Persians and two 
of unknown ancestry. 

The Arabian horse was used in the improvement of the 
French horses. In 1820 two Arabian stallions — Godolphin 
and Gallipoli — were used upon French mares, and did 
much to improve the quality, action and style of the 
French horses. As these sires were gray, no doubt they 
had considerable influence in developing the gray color 
among the horses of La Perche. The horses of Germany, 
Russia and Hungary have been much improved in quality 
and action by the use of eastern sires. 

The Arabian horse in America. — The early accounts of 
the Arabian horse in America are conflicting, due, in part 
at least, to the fact that many horses called Arabian were 
not of that breed, but were of Oriental ancestry. The 
first record we have of the Arab in America was the im- 
portation of the stallion Ranger about 1765 to New Lon- 
don, Connecticut. This horse was later taken to Vir- 
ginia, where he became known as Lindsay's Arabian. In 
1838 J. D. Elliott imported a number of both sexes. 
In 1856 Hon. A. Keene Richards imported three stallions 
and two mares to Georgetown, Kentucky. Three Arab 
horses, Maanake, Hedgrogi and Liklany Gidran, were 
presented to William H. Seward ; one, Umbark, to Presi- 
dent Martin Van Buren; and two, Linden Tree and 
Leopard, to General U. S. Grant. A number were 
brought to the World's Fair, Chicago, in 1893, some of 
which were destroyed by fire and the remainder pur- 
chased by Peter B. Bradley of Boston, Massachusetts. 

Arabian horse breeders, — During recent years a num- 



THE ARABIAN HORSE 



83 



ber of Arabian studs of importance have been maintained 
in England and America. In England the late Major 
Upton and the late Henry Chaplin, Minister of Agricul- 
ture, maintained pure Arab studs, both of which were 
sold. Lady Anne Blunt of Crabbet Park, near Three- 
bridges Station, Sussex County, England, and her hus- 
band, Sir Wilfred, are the largest breeders of pure Arab 
horses in England, and for 20 years or more have bred, 




FIG. 57.— ARABIAN MARE "HAMRA" 

with the greatest care, the best stock that the desert has 
ever furnished the outside world. In the summer of 
191 1, Henry K. Bush-Brown saw about fifty head of pure 
Arabians in thiS Blunt stud. These were divided into 
seven different sub-families and possessed superlative 
merit. In addition, Rev. F. F. Vidal and Miss Ethelred 
Dillon also have studs in England, 

In America, Randolph Huntington of Oyster Bay, Long 
Island, New York; Peter Heyl of Milwaukee, Wiscon- 
sin ; and J. A. P. Ramsdell of Newburgh, New York, have 



84 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

maintained notable Arabian studs in recent years. In 
recent years the most prominent breeders are or have 
been Homer Davenport, Holmdel, Nev7 Jersey; Peter B. 
Bradley, Boston, Massachusetts; Richard W. Tully, 
Pleasanton, California; Spencer Borden, Fall River, 
Massachusetts; and the Hartman Stock Farm, Colum- 
bus, Ohio. These are breeders of pure Arabs and their 
combined studs represent a total of over 100 head of 
horses in this country. Some of these were imported 
from Lady Blunt's stud and some by the Hamid Hippo- 
drome Company (who showed their horses at the Chicago 
World's Fair) and others. Huntington was the pioneer 
at this kind of breeding. Davenport and Borden im- 
ported direct from the Bedouins. 

Notable Arabian horses. — The desert-bred Arab stallion 
Kismet was perhaps the most noted. He was imported 
to England by Rev. F. F. Vidal of Needham Market, Suf- 
folk, England, who was offered $20,000 for him by the 
French government, but declined the offer. Huntington 
tried repeatedly to buy Kismet, but finding it impossible 
to purchase him outright arranged a contract to bring him 
to the United States. The contract provided heavy 
bonds, including one in Lloyd's insurance agency, for 
Kismet's safe return to England, in addition to a large 
fee for use in Huntington's stud. 

Thus bonded, Huntington imported Kismet in 1891. 
The journey proved a hard one, and on his arrival Kismet 
was sent to the Cattanach infirmary, New York city, with 
a temperature of 106, resulting from pleuro-pneumonia, 
and died a few hours later, causing great financial loss to 
Huntington. Kismet's skeleton, said to be one of the 
most remarkable ever seen, is preserved in the American 
Veterinary College, 151 West Fifty-iourth street. New 
York City, and used as a specimen in clinical lectures. 
Other famous stallions are El Emir, Maidan, Kouch, 
Kars, Shahwan, Himyarite, Anizeh Khaled and Haleb. 
Among the mares Haidee, Keziah, Naomi, Nazli, Naarah 



THE ARABIAN HORSE 



8s 




and Wadduda are important modern females of the breed. 

Description of the Arab horse. — In his purity the 
Arabian horse is of high courage, possessing balance and 
harmony, power and substance, combined with elastic 
and graceful movements. He is gentle and affectionate, 
seemingly having no fear. His strength is remarkable 
considering size, 
which is due in 
part to the large 
muscle develop- 
ment, thus en- 
abling him to car- 
ry heavy burdens. 
He has a great 
constitution and 
ex t r a o r dinary 
staying power. 
While he is not 
noted so much for 
speed, as he is not 
nearly the equal of 
the Thoroughbred 

or Standardbred in this respect, yet he can perform long 
journeys across country with comparative ease, such as those 
requiring extraordinary endurance. 

The head of the Arabian horse indicates superior char- 
acter and intelligence, the forehead being broad and full, 
and the head tapering toward the nose more than in 
other breeds. The nostrils are prominent and capable 
of great distention ; the eyes soft and intelligent, and the 
ears are of fine texture and pointed inward. In general 
outline", the head is lean and clean cut, representing high 
spirit. The neck is of medium length and sustains the head 
gracefully; the throat of medium size and the windpipe 
prominent, thus promoting staying power. The shoul- 
ders are long and sloping, though Hayes states that from 
a saddle point of view they are often thick and the withers 




Fig. 58. — Arabian Stallion "Deux' 



86 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



low and broad. The chest is deep and long, indicative 
of constitutional capacity. The body is deep ; the back 
is short; the loins broad and of immense power; and the 
quarters long and strong, with the whole beautifully 
turned. The tail is set high and carried with style. The 
legs and feet are superior. 

In height the Arabian horse ranges from 14 to 14.2 
hands; thus he is often classed as a pony, and in fact, 
many of the most famous Arabs brought to England were 
ponies. Esabin Curtis, an importer of Arabs to Bombay, 




Fig. 59. — Arabian Stallion "Maleik" 

is said to have stated that the best Arabs did not, as a 
rule, exceed I4.i>4 to 14.2 hands high, though Homer 
Davenport states more stand 14.2 hands than any other 
height. The size is largely a matter of the feed given 
the horse when a colt. This is emphasized by the fact 
that among the Gomussa tribe of the Sabba Anazeh, who 
pay better attention to their horses than do others, we 
find colts at two years of age standing 15 hands high. 

The color varies, and may be white, gray, bay, chest- 
nut, brown, but rarely black. The bays often have black 
points and generally one or more white feet, with some 



THE ARABIAN HORSE 8/ 

white on the face. The chestnuts vary from brightest to 
dullest shades. According to Davenport, roan, spotted 
or piebald and yellow colors are not found among the 
Arabs, though roan and yellow are common among Barbs. 

Popularity of the Arab horse. — In the past, the Arabian 
horse's value has been incalculable, as he has transmitted 
constitutional vigor, quality, intelligence and style to 
practically all the modern breeds. At the present, how- 
ever, it is thought that he has served his usefulness in 
this capacity, though European governments are using 
the Arab to improve their depleted horse stock. In 1899 
the French government crossed 60 Thoroughbred mares 
with Arabian stallions, in order to obtain cross-bred 
stallions, for service in low, soft districts, where the 
horses are coarse and of inferior bone. In addition, the 
Arab horse is used to some extent in breeding Welsh, 
Exmoor and other ponies to produce small animals for 
polo playing. Thus it seems that the present use of the 
Arabian horse is quite largely limited to sports and to 
show. 

Organizations and records. — The Arabian Horse 
Club of xVmerica has established a stud book and pro- 
vides for registration, one volume of which has been pub- 
lished, recording 127 pure Arabians. In England, regis- 
tration is provided for in the General Stud Book of Great 
Britain. 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 

Of the modern breeds or horses, the Thoroughbred was 
the first to receive systematic attempts at improvement. 
For more than three centuries this breed has been con- 
sidered as the fountain head from which much of the 
quality and endurance among horses have been derived. 

The native home of the Thoroughbred horse. — England, 
the largest and most densely populated division of the 
British group, is the native home of the Thoroughbred 
horse. The climate is moist, temperate and adapted to 
barley, oats and pasture, thus providing ideal conditions 
for the development and improvement of the horse. An- 
other factor of vital importance in the development of this 
breed is the temperament of the English people, who for 
more than i,ooo years have fostered racing. The sport- 
loving Cavaliers of England played a very important part 
in founding and developing this renowned breed of 
running horses. 

The origin of the Thoroughbred horse. — A knowledge 
of the early history of Great Britain is necessary for a 
complete understanding of the origin of the Thoroughbred 
horse. There are no indications of any horses having 
been indigenous to Britain. The horses with which the 
islands were first stocked are generally held to have been 
derived from the pony types, native to northern Europe, 
though recent researches by Ridgeway indicate that 
horses of the north African type were in Ireland as early 
as the sixth century ; yet, whatever the source, these early 
horses were small of stature. We know that the first 
efforts at improvement were in the attempt of increas- 
ing the size. 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 



89 



Early racing in England. — The horse, as a feature in 
the sports of the times, is first mentioned in the latter 
half of the twelfth century, when races of a primitive 
character were conducted at Smithfield. The first race 
reported was run between Richard 11. and the Earl of 
Arundel in 1377. Henry VIII. was the first king who 
ran horses for his own amusement. He maintained a 
royal stud, had laws enacted regarding horse breeding, 



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FIG. 60.— THOROUGHBRED STALLION "CHOCORNAE" 



and imported from Turkey, Spain and Naples. System- 
atic racing, however, did not begin until the time of 
James I., who is credited with having imported the first 
Arabian for the purpose of breeding horses of greater 
speed. In 16 16, through an English merchant, James I. 
imported from the Orient a stallion named Markham's 
Arabian, for which he paid £500. This horse was a 
failure in the stud and was much ridiculed. Charles I., 
son of James L, established racing at Newmarket and 
Hyde Park. He also passed laws encouraging horse 
breeding. 



90 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Foundation stock. — According to British authors, the 
j Thoroughbred was created by Charles II., son of Charles 
il. He not only took an active interest in racing, but 
imported direct from the Orient. His most notable im- 
portation was that of two Barb mares, which, with their 
descendants, are commonly known as the "King's mares'* 
or ''Royal mares," and are regarded by some authorities 
as the foundation dams of the breed. Others, however, 
doubt the accuracy of thus limiting the base of the breed. 
By far the more noted of the foundation animals are the 
three famous foreign stallions, Godolphin Barb, Byerly 
Turk and Darley Arabian. 

Three famous Oriental sires. — During the formation of 
the Thoroughbred there were many horses introduced 
into England. Three of these foreign horses exerted an 
influence so important as to make them worthy special 
mention. 

Byerly Turk. — Captain Byerly's charger at the battle 
of the Boyne, during the wars of William in Ireland, at- 
tracted such favorable comment that he was subsequently 
placed in the stud and became famous as a sire of speed, 
his descendants being represented by Herod. He became 
known as Byerly Turk, is said to be of pure Arabian 
descent, and was probably brought to England in 1689. 

Darley Arabian. — Mr. Darley, a merchant at Aleppo, 
Syria, sent an Arabian horse, as a gift, to his brother, 
Mr. John B. Darley of Aldby Park, near York. This 
horse, a pure Arab, was bay in color with a blaze on the 
face and white on three feet, and stood about- 15 hands 
high. He was known as Darley Arabian, and became 
a very famous sire, his descendants being represented by 
Flying Childers and Eclipse, the greatest racers of their 
day. Darley Arabian was brought to England about 
1706. 

Godolphin Barb. — The Emperor of Morocco presented 
to Louis XIV. an Arab (or a Barb) stallion, which was so 
little valued by the French ruler that he was placed in the 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 9I 

shafts of a Paris water cart and cruelly overworked, but 
is said to have been watched over closely by a faithful 
attendant until rescued and brought to England by Mr. 
Coke, where later he became the property of Lord Godol- 
phin, and became known as Godolphin Bard (or 
Arabian). He was placed in the stud, where he became 
a very famous sire, his descendants being represented by 
Matchem. He was probably brought to England about 
1728. 

P>om these three Oriental stallions, and their descend- 
ants, are derived the best blood of the Thoroughbred. 
There are few running horses of eminence which could 
not directly trace their descent from one or more of these 
famous sires. 

Three famous English sires. — While many English- 
bred horses were prominent in the development of the 
Thoroughbred, three stand out as really famous in the 
production of the modern running horse. 

Herod (King Herod). — This horse was born in 1758, 
and was bred by William, Duke of Cumberland. He was 
sired by Tartar and was out of Cypron. He begun his 
racing career in October, 1763, when he was five years 
old, and ended it in May, 1767, when he was placed in the 
stud. While only moderately successful on the race 
course, he was a sire of great renown, siring 497 prize 
winners, and it is estimated that they won for their 
owners £201,505, or over $1,000,000. 

Eclipse. — This horse was born in 1764, during an eclipse 
of the sun, and was bred by the Duke of Cumberland, at 
whose sale he brought 75 guineas. He was sired by 
Marske, and was out of Spiletta. In 1769, D. O'Kelly 
bought him for 1,650 guineas ($8,250). He begun his 
racing career at Epsom, May, 1769, at the age of five years, 
and ended it at Newmarket, October, 1770. He was never 
beaten, and was retired from the race course because no 
one would race against him. In 1779 one of the Bedford 
family asked O'Kelly to place a price on Eclipse and 



92 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

received the reply that "all Bedford Level would not 
purchase him." At another time O'Kelly was offered 
$125,000 and an annuity of $2,500 for life. Eclipse won 
eleven King's Plates, and O'Kelly cleared £25,000 on him. 

At the close of his racing career, Eclipse was placed in 
the stud, where he was equally as successful as on the 
race course. He sired 334 winners that won for their 
owners £160,000. He died in 1789 at the age of 25 years. 
In historical description this noted horse is said to have 
been about 15. i hands high; his shoulders were low, 
oblique and thick above, while he stood high behind. He 
possessed a powerful loin, very long quarters as well as 
powerful and long thighs and forearms. His stride was 
very wide, and he was so thick winded that he could be 
heard some distance. John Lawrence said of him that 
*'he puffed and blowed like an otter and galloped as wide 
as a barn door." While Eclipse is described as being of 
fine disposition, in a race he took his own gait, rushing 
along with his head down, indifferent of his rider, who 
found it impossible to control him. 

Matchem. — This horse was born in 1748, and was bred 
by Sir John Holmes of Carlisle. He was sired by Cade, 
and was out of Sister to Miss Patten. He begun his 
racing career August, 1753, as a five-year-old, and ended 
it September, 1758, when he was placed in the stud. He 
was only moderately successful as a racer, but very 
famous as a sire, due to his superior blood and conforma- 
tion. His best-known son, also called Matchem, became 
a great racer and a successful sire. It is stated that he 
made a record of 144 for the mile on the Beacon course. 
Matchem sired 354 sons and daughters that were the 
winners of races. Matchem died in 1781 at the age of 
33 years. 

Improvement of the Thoroughbred. — For nearly three 
centuries Thoroughbreds have been bred under a most 
rigid system of selection, performance on the race course 
being the standard. The high degree of perfection 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 



93 



reached by the best individuals, as well as the prominence 
which the breed has attained, can be attributed, in part 
at least, to the fact that the destiny of the breed has been 
cast with men who have unlimited resources on which 
to draw. 

During the past century important changes have oc- 
curred in the system under which Thoroughbreds are 




FIG. 61.— THOROUGHBRED STALLION "HERMIS' 



raced, which have resulted in corresponding modifications 
in type. Formerly the horse was not raced until mature 
and the distance covered was two, three, four and five 
miles, while at the present time the custom is to run 
dashes of a mile, or less, to carry less weight, and to start 
as two-year-olds. Some persons doubt the wisdom of 
the present methods and contend that the stamina and 
weight-carrying ability are not improved by the modern 
method of racing. Further, conflicting opinions are ex- 
pressed with regard to the probability of modern horses 
being capable of lowering the long-distance records of a 
century ago. Comparison is difficult ; formerly the races 
were few and the horses specially trained, while at 



94 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



present they are kept in racing condition for nine months 
each year and running many races. 

Notable Thoroughbred horses. — During the develop- 
ment of the breed the names of many famous Thorough- 
breds have appeared. The foUov^ing are v^orthy repre- 
sentatives, all of them famous racers and many of them 
successful breeders. For convenience of study they are 
arranged in tabular form, giving date of birth and the 
sire and dam. 



British Thoroughbreds 



Animal 


Date of 
birth 


Sire 


Dam 


Squirt 


1732 


Bartlett's Childers 


Snake Mare 


Pot-8-os 


1773 


Eclipse 


Sportsmistress 


Woodpecker 


1773 


Herod 


Misfortune 


Highflyer 


1774 


Herod 


Rachael 


Sir Peter 


1784 


Highflyer 


Papillon 


Waxy 


1790 


Pot-8-os 


Maria 


Whalebone 


1807 


Waxy 


Penelope 


Tramp 


1810 


Dick Andrews 


Gohanna 


Whisker 


1812 


Waxy 


Penelope 


Sir Hercules 


1826 


Whalebone 


Peri 


Touchstone 


1831 


Camel 


Banter 


Irish Bird Catcher 


1833 


Sir Hercules 


Guiccioli 


Gladiator 


1833 


Partisan 


Pauline 


Faugh-a-Ballagh 


1841 


Sir Hercules 


Guiccioli 


Orlando 


1841 


Touchstone 


Vulture 


The Baron 


1842 


Irish Bird Catcher 


Echinda 


Stockwell 


1849 


The Baron 


Pocahontas 


Kingston 


1849 


Venison 


Queen Anne 


King Tom 


1851 


Harkaway 


Pocahontas 


Blair Athol 


1861 


Stockwell 


Blink Bonny 


Hermit 


1864 


Newminster 


Seclusion 


Robert the Devil 


1877 


Bertram 


Cast Off 


Bend Or 


1878 


Doncaster 


Rouge Rose 


St. Simon 


1881 


Galopin 


St. Angela 


Isinglass 


1890 


Isonomy 


Deadlock 


Persimmon 


1893 


St. Simon 


Perdita II 


Flying Fox 


1896 


Orme 


Vampire 


Diamond Jubilee 


1897 


St. Simon 


Perdita II 


Rock Sand 


1900 


Sainfoin 


Roguebrune 


spearmint 


1903 


Car line 


Maid of the Mist 


Lemberg 


1907 


Cyllene 


Calicia 



the thoroughbred horse 95 

Thoroughbreds Imported to America 



Animal 


Date of 

birth 


Sire 


Dam 


Matchem 


1754 


Godolphin Bard 


Soreheels Mare 


Stark 


1771 


Marsk 


Snap Mare 


Diomed 


1777 


Florizel 


Spectator Mare 


Messenger 


1780 


Mambrino 


D. of Turf 


Saltram 


1780 


Echpse 


Virago 


Highflyer 


1784 


Highflyer 


Thistle 


Buzzard 


1787 


Woodpecker 


Misfortune 


Olderman 


1787 


Pot-8-os 


Lady of Bolingbroke 


Sarpendon 


1828 


Emilius 


Icaria 


Glencoe 


1831 


Sultan 


Trampoline 


Leamington 


1853 


Faugh-a-Ballagh 


D. of b. m. 


Bonnie Scotland 


1853 


lago 


Queen Mary 


Australian 


1858 


W. Australian 


Emilia 


Phaeton 


1865 


King Tom 


Merry Sunshine 


Prince Charlie 


1869 


Blair Athol 


Eastern Princess 


Rayon d'Or 


1876 


Flageolet 


Auracaria 


St. Blaise 


1880 


Hermit 


Fusee 


Ormonde 


1884 


Bend Or 


Lilv Agnes 


Sysonby 


1901 


Melton 


Optime 





American 


Thoroughbreds 




Animal 


Date of 
birth 


Sire 


Dam 


Sir Archy 


1805 


Diomed 


Castinanira 


Am. Eclipse 


1814 


Duroc 


Miller's Damsel 


Boston 


1833 


Timoleon 


S. of Tuckahoe 


Lexington 


1850 


Boston 


Alice Carneal 


Norfolk 


1860 


Lexington 


Novice 


Emperor 


1860 


Leamington 




Longfellow- 


1867 


Leamington 


Nantura 


Enquirer 


1867 


Leamington 


Lida 


Tom O'Chiltree 


1872 


Lexington 


Katona 


Parole 


1874 


Leamington 


Maiden 


Himyar 


1875 


Alarm 


Hira 


Spendthrift 


1876 


Australian 


Aerolite 


Lake Blackburn 


1877 


Bonnie Scotland 


Nevada 


Foxhall 


1878 


King Alfonso 


Jamaica 


Iroquois 


1878 


Leamington 


Maggie B. B. 


The Bard 


1883 


Longfellow 


Brademante 


Firenzi 


1884 


Glenelg 


Florida 


Hanover 


1884 


Hindoo 


Bourbon Belle 


Emperor of Norfolk 


1885 


Norfolk 


Marian 


Salvator 


1886 


Prince Charlie 


Salina 


Hamburg 


1891 


Hanover 


Lady Reel 


Nealon 


1903 


Sain 


Sister Josephine 


Ballot 


1904 


Voter 


Cerito 


Alambalo 


1906 


Ormqs 


Blue and White 



Famous mares. — In a discussion of notable Thorough- 
breds there are at least tv^o mares that deserve special 
mention, especially because of their longevity and fer- 




9G 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 97 

tility. Old Fanny Cook produced 15 foals, giving birth 
to twins at 22 years of age, while Pocahontas also pro- 
duced 15 foals and lived to the old age of 33 years. 

Record prices paid for Thoroughbreds. — While the pur- 
chase price of this breed varies widely, yet it is interest- 
ing to note some of the very remarkable prices paid dur- 
ing recent years. In 191 3, the French turfman Edmund 
Blanc paid W. R. Wynham $200,000 for the English 
Thoroughbred stallion White Knight. In 1904 the Duke 
of Westminster sold Flying Fox for 37,500 guineas 
($196,875), and he was taken to France and placed in the 
stud. In 1905 King Edward VII. sold Diamond Jubilee 
for $150,000 to Senor Ignacio Correas of Argentine, South 
America. Ormonde, Jardy, Rocksand and Cyellene also 
sold for $150,000 each. In allj 20 Thoroughbreds have 
sold for over $100,000. 

The Thoroughbred horse in America. — It was not long 
after the colonization of our eastern territory before there 
was established an American turf with its Thoroughbred 
studs. This was natural, since our southern provinces 
were settled by the English. There are fragmentary ac- 
counts of regular race meetings as early as 1665, and no 
doubt others preceded these as the early settlers were a 
horse-racing people. In 1677 the court records of Hen- 
rico, Virginia, mentions three racing tests. In the first, 
the stake was 300 pounds of tobacco ; in the second, the 
winner to take both horses; and in the third, no stake 
was mentioned. The first racing organization of which 
we have record was formed in 1760 at Charleston, 
South Carolina. This organization established the New- 
market course on which were held many enthusiastic 
races. Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland were the 
colonies most interested in these early sports. 

The first Thoroughbred of which we have record was 
the horse Bulk Rock, imported to Virginia in 1730 by 
Patton and Gist. Other importations followed (p. 95). 
One of the most notable horses ever introduced to this 



98 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

country was Diomed, winner of the first English Derby. 
He was imported in 1799 in his twenty-second year of age, 
and is regarded by many as the real progenitor of the 
American Thoroughbred. In direct line of descent from 
him comes Sir Archy, often referred to as the first truly 
American Thoroughbred, while Boston, Sir Archy's 
grandson, is conceded to have been the greatest American 
race horse. Boston sired Lexington, a scarcely less re- 
markable racer than Boston, and a most influential sire, 
especially through the female line. Lexington's blood 
enters into the American saddle horse and the Standard- 
bred as well as of the Thoroughbred. 

From the original seat in the southern colonies the 
Thoroughbred sentiment moved north, centering about 
the Union course on Long Island, then westward into 
Kentucky and Tennessee. The environment of Kentucky 
proved so congenial to the horses bred there that the 
state soon attained first position as a Thoroughbred horse- 
producing state. Later some of the best blood of the 
breed found its way to California and studs were founded 
which have achieved national fame. 

Description of the Thoroughbred horse. — The con- 
formation of the running horse is distinctive. He is up- 
standing, long, lithe, rangy and angular, thus favoring 
speed, and is in striking contrast to the low, broad, com- 
pact and massive form significant of power in the draft 
horse. There is a general spareness, particularly about 
the head and legs, and the muscles and tendons stand out 
prominent and cordy. 

The head is moderately small, with sharply defined fea- 
tures, showing breeding ; nostrils large and full ; eyes 
clear, prominent and intelligent; ears neat, of medium 
size, not too wide apart and carried in a lively manner. 
The neck shoiild be long, the upper part from the poll to 
the withers about twice as long as the lower part from 
the point of the shoulders to the larynx, and strongly 
muscled. The shoulders should slope obliquely back. 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE 99 

forming high, fairly close, but long withers. The chest is 
often rather narrow and lung capacity is obtained by 
great depth which, in connection with the high withers, 
gives the body a deep appearance. 

The back should be fairly broad, level and muscular, 
with well-sprung ribs of great depth, thus giving diges- 
tive capacity. The loins should be broad and muscular. 
The croup tends to length and a bit straight, but should be 
well muscled. The tail should be attached medium high 
and carried gracefully. The quarters should be long, deep 
and strongly muscled, thus giving great driving power. The 
legs above the knees and hocks should be long and well 
muscled. The knees and hocks should be strong and 
clean. The cannons should be deep and clean with ten- 
dons well detached. The fetlocks should be strong and 
clean. The pasterns should be long and sloping, as well 
as strong and clean. The feet should be of medium size, 
with the hoof dense and elastic. A fine, smooth coat of 
hair and a soft delicate skin, with the superficial blood 
vessels well marked, complete a general appearance of 
quality and refinement. 

In height, the Thoroughbred ranges from 14.2 to 16.2 
hands, though 15 to 15.2 hands is most approved. It is 
interesting to note that the breed has increased in height 
during its development, the statement being made that 
the average height has increased from 14 hands in 1700 
to 15 hands 2^ inches in 1900. The weight is likewise 
extremely variable, but in general ranges from 900 to 
1,050 pounds, though many excellent individuals exceed 
this many pounds. The prevailing colors are bay, brown 
and chestnut, with one or more white markings, though 
black, gray, sorrel, roan and, in fact, all colors are occa- 
sionally found. In temperament, the Thoroughbred is 
nervous and often mettlesome because of his racing spirit. 

Famous race meetings. — The three noted race meetings 
in England are the Derby, the St. Leger and the Oaks, 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE lOI 

each of which are very old. The first Derby in England 
was run at Epsom, May 4, 1780, for a stake valued at 50 
guineas, open to three-year-old colts, the colts to carry 
eight stones, fillies seven stones and eleven pounds, over 
a distance of one mile. This was won by Diomed. In 
1784 the distance w^as increased from one mile to one and 
one-half miles.. The only American-bred horse to win 
the Derby was Iroquois, a descendant of Diomed. He 
also won the St. Leger, a notable feat in view of the fact 
that both the Derby and the St. Leger have been won by 
the same horse but nine times in over a century of racing. 

There are a number of important events held in 
America, the following being the most notable : Metro- 
politan Handicap, one mile, Belmont Park; Carter Handi- 
cap, seven furlongs. Aqueduct; Excelsior Handicap, one 
and one-sixteenth miles, Jamaica; Saratoga Handicap, 
one and one-quarter miles, Saratoga; Suburban Handi- 
cap, one and one-fourth miles, Sheepshead Bay; Brigh- 
ton Handicap, one and one-fourth miles, Brighton Beach; 
the Futurity, six furlongs, Sheepshead Bay; and the 
Brooklyn Handicap, one and one-fourth miles, Gravesend. 

Speed records of the Thoroughbred. — With this breed 
races are run under the saddle and a right skillful rider 
(jockey) is needed. Jockeys usually weigh from 100 to 
125 pounds. The fastest record, i.35>^, was made by 
Salvator on a straightaway track of one mile, in 1890, 
at Monmouth Park, New Jersey. The best record for a 
standard track is 1.37%, made December 22, 1908, by 
Center Shot, on the Santa Anita track, while the next best 
record is 1.37%, which has been equaled many times. In 
1855 Lexington ran four miles in 7.19^, winning $20,000 
in a race against time. In 1897 Lucrezia Borgia ran four 
miles against time on the Oakland track in 7.1 1, while in 
191 1 Messenger Boy ran the same distance on the Louis- 
ville track in 7.14H in a race. 

English records. — The following table gives the Eng- 
lish Derby race records, one and one-half miles, since 



I02 
IQOO, 

time 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

showing the name of the winner, his sire and the 
English Records 



Year 


Name of winner 


Sire 


Time 


1900 


Diamond Jubilee 


St. Simon 


2.42 


1901 


Volodyovski 


Florizel 


2.401 


1902 


Ard Patrick 


St. Florian 


2.424 


1903 


Rock Sand 


Sainfoin 


2.421 


1904 


St. Amant 


Frusquin 


2.454 


1905 


Cicero 


Cvllene 


2.304 


1906 


Spearmint 


Carbine 


2.36t 


1907 


Orby 


Orme 


2.44 


1908 


Signorinetta 


Chaleureux 


2.39^ 


1909 


Minom 


Cyllene 


2.42f 


1910 


Temberg 


Cyllene 


2.35i 


1911 


Sunstar 


Sunbridge 


2.36^ 



American records. — The following table gives the Su- 
burban Handicap races of one and one-fourth miles, run 
at Sheepshead Bay, giving the name of the winner, weight 
of jockey, time and money won : 



American Records 



Year 


Name of winner 


Weight of jockey 


Time 


Purse 


1900 


Kinley Mack 


125 pounds 


2.06f 


$ 6,800 


1901 


Alcedo 


112 pounds 


2.09i 


7,800 


1902 


Gold Heels 


124 pounds 


2.05i 


7,800 


1903 


Africander 


110 pounds 


2.101 


16,490 


1904 


Hermis 


127 pounds 


2.05 


17,000 


1905 


Beldame 


123 pounds 


2.051 


16,800 


1906 


Go-Betwc?n 


124 pounds 


2.05^ 


16.800 


1907 


Nealon 


124 pounds 


2.061 


16.800 


1908 


Ballot 


126 pounds 


2.03 


19,750 


1909 


Fitz Herbert 


122 pounds 


2.03f 


3,850 


1910 


Olambala 


122 pounds 


2.041 


6,000 



Reduction in records. — The following table gives the 
reduction in time for American races over a mile track, 
beginning in the early fifties. The table shows the name 
of the horse, the year, place and the time of the heat. 



the thoroughbred horse io3 

American Running Records Reduced-Mile Track 



Year 


Name of horse 


Race course 


Time 


1854 


Charley Beli 


Lexington 


1.45 f 


1859 


SatalUte 


Lexington 


1.451 


1862 


Mammona 


Lexington 


1.44i 


1866 


Revolver 


Cincinnati 


1.44 


1869 


Hertog 


Cincinnati 


1.43i 


1872 


Alarm 


Saratoga 


1.42f 


1874 


Gray Planet 


Saratoga 


1.42| 


1875 


Searcher 


Lexington 


1.411 


1877 


Ten Broeck 


Hartford 


1.39f 


1890 


Racine 


Washington Park 


1.391 


1893 


Chorister 


Morris Park , 


1.391 


1894 


Libertine 


Harlem 


1.38f 


1900 


Voter 


Brighton Beach 


1.38 


1903 


Allan-A-Dale 


Washington Park 


1.371 


1903 


Dick Wells 


Harlem 


1.371 


1908 


Center Shot 


Santa Anita 


1.37i 



A notable sire of winning stock. — Each year a record is 
made of the sire whose descendants win the most races. 
Of the number thus far recorded Lexington is the most 
notable. During 22 seasons he sired 600 horses, of which 
236 were winners of races and in 15 years they won a 
total of $1,159,320 for their owners. 

Popularity of the Thoroughbred horse. — This breed has 
found its way into all countries where race horses are 
popular. This is especially true of Great Britain, United 
States, France, Germany, Australia and Argentine Re- 
public. 

Thoroughbred blood has been much used in the de- 
velopment of other breeds of horses. Each of the draft 
breeds owes much of its quality to Thoroughbred crosses. 
The Hackney descended from a Thoroughbred cross on 
the common mares of Norfolk. In like manner the Erench 
Coach, German Coach and the Yorkshire Coach have been 
produced. The Thoroughbred, Imported Messenger, is 
considered the foundation sire of the Standardbred, while 
Denmark, a son of Imported Hedgeford, is now accorded 
the only foundation sire in the American saddle horse. 
Furthermore, the Thoroughbred is very popular in the pro- 
duction of the hunter, jumper, polo pony, and the like. 



104 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Organizations and records. — As it was to preserve the 
purity of the Thoroughbred that books of record were 
established, their early development is worthy mention 
in this connection. So far as is known there were no 
records of performance or breeding previous to the 




FIG. 64.— THOROUGHBRED ENGLISH HUNTER MARE "ISENLL' 



eighteenth century. Thus, through advertisements, sales 
papers, catalogs, and the like, many fictitious pedigrees, 
all shaped on fashionable lines, gained currency. This 
was the condition in England up to 1709 when the first 
racing calendar was published. Other calendars followed, 
perhaps the most notable being the Racing Register, pub- 
lished by Bailey Brothers. These records were intended 
for the convenience of men who wagered money, and 
who cared nothing for blood lines, hence, mistakes were 
of frequent occurrence. Such was the condition of pedi- 
grees when, toward the close of the eighteenth century, 
Weatherby and Pick started their stud books. 

In 1786 William Pick of York, England, published "A 
Careful Collection of All the Pedigrees Possible 
to Obtain," while in 1791 Weatherby published an 



THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE IO5 

"Introduction to a General Stud Book." These pub- 
lications were the forerunners of Pick's Turf Register, 
and of Weatherby's General Stud Book. Though the 
first volume of both the Register and the Stud Book ap- 
peared in 1803, there was great rivalry among the au- 
thors. Four volumes of Pick's Turf Register appeared 
and then the publication was discontinued, while the 
General Stud Book continued as the official organ of the 
Thoroughbred in England. This represents the first suc- 
cessful attempt to record the genealogy of animals. The 
first publication of performance occurred in 1829. In 
America the Thoroughbreds are registered in the Amer- 
ican Stud Book for Thoroughbreds, the official organiza- 
tion being the American Jockey Club. 



CHAPTER IX 
THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 

Like many of the breeds of horses, the American Saddle 
horse takes its name from the purpose for which it is pro- 
duced. This breed, although of recent origin, provides 
greater comfort for the rider than that of any other breed. 

Origin of the American Saddle horse. — This breed is of 
American origin, and is the outgrowth of necessity. In 
the early days before improved roads or railroads were 
established, traffic was largely by horseback, along the 
trails, through the forests, over unbroken and almost 
impassable roads. Such conditions demanded a sure- 
footed, sturdy horse that could travel long distances at a 
steady rate of speed. Out of this need grew the Amer- 
ican Saddle horse, rather undeveloped and hard gaitcd 
at first, but by the use of better sires, largely Thorough- 
breds, there has evolved a horse of magnificent type, 
capable of going a number of easy and steady gaits. 

The breed was developed largely in Virginia, Kentucky, 
Tennessee and Missouri, though Canadian horses were 
used to some extent. So much of the development has 
taken place in Kentucky that the breed is sometimes 
referred to as the ''Kentucky Saddle horse." To improve 
the gait, easy-going mares were selected and bred to 
Thoroughbred stallions of easy movement. This cross 
resulted in a smooth, easy-gaited offspring, whose gait, 
was still further improved by mating with pacing and 
ambling stallions from Canada and New England. 

Influence of the Thoroughbred in developing the 
American Saddle horse. — Of the i,o8i horses registered 
in Volume I (first edition) of the American Saddle Horse 
Stud Book, J. H. Ward found that 879 contained Thor- 
oughbred blood, as follows : 

106 



THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 10/ 



Pure Thoroughbred blood 2 horses 

50 per cent. Thoroughbred blood 50 horses 

25 per cent. Thoroughbred blood 296 horses 

12 J per cent. Thoroughbred blood 343 horses 

6 J per cent. Thoroughbred blood 152 horses 

3 per cent. Thoroughbred blood 36 horses 



Total containing Thoroughbred blood 879 horses 

Uncertain blood . 202 horses 



Total in Volume I (first edition) 1,081 horses 

Denmark F. S. (foundation stock). — In 189 1, when the 
saddle horse breeders organized their association, they 
arranged a list of 14 sires, which were known as founda- 
tion stock. After having revised the list many times, the 
association, at the annual meeting in 1908, decided to 
recognize Denmark, by Imp. Hedgeford, alone as founda- 
tion. This position would seem justified since of the 
2,981 horses registered in Volume I (revised edition), 
1,653, or practically 55^/2%, have direct male trace to Den- 
mark F. S. ; in Volume II, of 2,999 entries, 2,378, or prac- 
tically 79.3%, have direct male trace; while in Volume 
III, of 2,997 entries, 1,998, or 66%%, have direct male 
trace to Denmark F. S. In the total of 8,979 entries in 
the three volumes, 6,029, or a little over (^jjo, have direct 
male trace to the foundation sire. 

Denmark F. S. was bred by Samuel Davenport of Ken- 
tucky, and was born in 1839. His sire, Imp. Hedgeford, 
was a Thoroughbred, and his dam, Betsey Harrison, was 
a Kentucky bred mare. Denmark F. S. was brown in 
color, and an individual of much beauty. He was a game 
and consistent four-mile race horse. Imp. Hedgeford 
was a brown horse, born in 1825, bred by Mytton and 
imported to Kentucky in 1832 by William Jackson. 
Betsey Harrison was a bay mare, born in 1824, bred by 
Davenport of Kentucky. She was by Aratus out of 
Jenny Cockracy by Old Patomic. 

Denmark's descendants. — The most noted son of Den- 
mark F. S. was Gaines's Denmark, often referred to as 



io8 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



*'The Denmark of the Denmark family." This horse was 
bred by William V. Cromwell of Fayette county, Ken- 
tucky, and was born in 185 1. His dam was the Steven- 
son mare by Cockspur. Of the 6,029 entries having 
direct male trace to Denmark F. S., in the first three 
volumes of the Register, 6,014, practically a perfect per- 
centage, trace 
through Gaines's 
Denmark. This 
horse was black, 
with both ankles 
white, and is 
described as a 
horse of wonder- 
ful finish and 
beauty. Gaines's 
Denmark's most 
notable sons are 
Washington 
Denmark 64, 
Diamond Den- 
mark 68, Star 
Denmark 71, and 
Sumpter Den- 
mark 65. Wash- 
ington Denmark 
was bred by 
William V. Cromwell, and was born in 1855. His 
dam was Polly Hopkins 46, by Cockspur Horse, a son of 
Cockspur, which got the dam of his illustrious sire. 
Diamond Denmark was also bred by William V. Crom- 
well, and was born in 1858. His dam was Queen 48, by 
Bald Stockings. Of the 6,014 entries having direct male 
trace to Gaines's Denmark, Washington Denmark is 
responsible for 4,518, or a little over 75%, while Diamond 
Denmark has 903, or about 15%. 

Washington Denmark's most notable sons are King 




Fig. 65. — American Saddle Mare "Carolina" — 
Major J. B. Castleman 



THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 



109 



William (^y, Cromwell JZ^ Stonewall Jackson ^2, Jewel 
Denmark 70, Fayette Denmark 60 and Latham's Den- 
mark 69 ; also the unregistered stallion Crigler's Denmark, 
the sire of Rex Denmark 840, who in turn sired the mag- 
nificent saddle horse Rex McDonald 1833. Queen 48, 
the dam of Diamond Denmark, was also the dam of three 
of the great sons of Washington Denmark, namely : King 
William, Latham's 
Denmark and 
Jewel Denmark. 
This mare was 
owned by William 
V. Cromwell, and 
through her sons 
is one of the really 
great dams of the 
breed. 

The greatest son 
of Diamond Den- 
mark was Montrose 
106. He was a bay 
stallion, bred by 
Talbot and Thomas 
of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was born in 1869. 
His dam was a Thoroughbred daughter of Hall's Glencoe. 

Famous American Saddlers. — More recent notable Sad- 
dle horses in direct line of descent from Denmark F. S. 
are: Black Eagle 74 and Artist 75, both by King 
William; Black Squirrel 58, by Black Eagle; Highland 
Denmark 730, Forest Squirrel 801, Red Squirrel 53, Black 
Squirrel, Jr., 2d, 395, and Patsy McCord 1600, by Black 
Squirrel; Goodwin 1227, Cupid 1152, and Highland Maid 
1270, by Highland Denmark; Amelia 1354, by Red Eagle 
28, by Red Squirrel; Rowena 1362, by Chester Dare 10, 
by Black Squirrel; Monte Cristo 59, by Montrose; and 
Miss Rex 820, by Red Denmark. 

Description of the American Saddle horse. — The Sad- 




-American Saddle Horse 
Choice" 



Kentucky 



no 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



dler Ihows much style in the carnage of head and arch of 
neck and tail. His courage and spirit, coupled with his 
docility, give him his special usefulness under the saddle 
as well as in the harness. The ideal Saddler may be 
described thus : The head is clean cut, rather small, with 




FIG. 67.— AMERICAN SADDLE MARE "'EDNA MAY" 

a very slight dish in the face ; the eyes prominent, full, 
and set wide apart; and the ears small, wide apart and 
active. The neck is long and gracefully crested with 
head neatly attached at a good angle. The shoulders are 
long and sloping with neat withers. The sloping shoul- 
ders in connection with the well-sprung ribs give a 
rather short and very strong back. The loin is well 
muscled and powerful. The rump is level and strong, 
with the tail coming out well up, carried high, and is 
heavy, long and flowing. The quarters are long and 
strongly muscled. The forearms are well muscled and 
long, giving distance from withers to knees, while the 
hind legs from stifles to hocks are also long, thus giving 
distance from hips to hocks. The knees and hocks are 



THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 



III 



strong and clean, and the cannons rather short, but with 
clean, strong bone and Avell-detached tendons. The pas- 
terns are a little long and sloping. The feet are of 
medium size, hoofs elastic and the heels well spread and 
well developed. 

In weight the Saddle horse is rather variable, though 
on the average they run from 950 to 1,050 pounds. The 
standard height is 15 
hands i>4 inches to 
15 hands 2^ inches, 
though as with 
weight, height is also 
exceedingly variable. 
The solid colors, such 
as bays, blacks, 
browns and chestnuts, 
predominate, though 
all colors are occa- 
sionally found. 

Classes of Saddle 
Horses. — There are 
three classes of Sad- 
dle horses : The walk- 
ing horse; the walk, trot and canter horse; and the 
five-gaited or true American Saddle horse, to which 
may be added others, as the hunter, high school horse, 
cavalry horse, polo pony, and the like. The walk- 
ing horse is well schooled at the running-walk gait. 
The walk, trot and canter horse is well educated at the 
three gaits, while the true-gaited Saddle horse is required 
to go five gaits. He must be able to walk, trot, rack and 
canter, and for the fifth he may choose any one of the three 
slow gaits, the running-walk, fox-trot or slow-pace. The 
hunter is usually able to go most of the saddle gaits, and 
in addition is well trained at the jump, while the high 
school horse, in addition to going all the saddle gaits, is 
well educated in many fancy steps. 




Fig. 68.- 



-American Saddle 
Colonel" 



Horse "Kentucky 



112 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

GAITS OF THE SADDLE HORSE 

There are three natural gaits — the walk, trot and gallop. 
The other saddle gaits are artificial ones, being more or 
less variations of the natural gaits. 

The walk. — This may be considered the foundation of 
all gaits. It is a gait of four flat beats, each foot being 
planted in regular order. If the right forefoot comes 
first to the ground, the left hind foot is next planted, 
then the left forefoot and finally the right hind foot. 
The horse has never less than two and never more than 
three feet bearing weight on the ground at the same time. 

The trot. — In the common trot, the horse moves from 
one pair of diagonally disposed legs to the other pair, and 
the footfalls mark two sharp beats. In the common and 
long trot there is a short period between each step when 
all four feet are free from the ground. During the short 
trot, however, one pair of diagonal feet is on the ground 
all the time. The trot depends simply upon the united 
action of a fore leg and a diagonal hind leg, hence the 
weight is alternately borne by the diagonally disposed legs. 

The canter. — When true, this is a gait of three beats. 
When the weight is received upon the left hind foot it 
next falls upon the right hindfoot and left forefoot, and 
then upon the right forefoot. The animal works on his 
haunches, with his legs well under him. The slower the 
gait, so long as performed with animation and exactness, 
the better; about five miles an hour being the most 
desirable. 

The rack. — In this gait, each foot falls upon the ground 
separately, thus making a four-beat gait, hence the term 
''single foot," which was formerly used to designate the 
gait. It is similar to the racing pace, in which the pair 
of legs on either side move alternately; in fact, the rack 
seems to be a very fast amble, in which the feet follow 
each other in very rapid succession, thus making a four- 



THE AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE 



113 



beat gait instead of a two-beat gait, as in the racing pace. 
The running walk. — The name fittingly describes the 
gait, It is an accelerated walk, the footfalls following 
each other in rapid succession, hence it is a four-beat gait. 
At this gait many horses nod their heads in rhythm with 




FIG. 69.— GAITED SADDLE HORSE *'ROYALIST" 



the footfalls, hence the term "nodder," which is some- 
times applied to the gait. 

The fox trot. — This is a slow, rather loosely jointed 
trot. It has fittingly been described as a *'dog trot." 
The action is somewhat similar to the trot described 
above, except that it is much slower and the beats are 
often separated. The gait is rather difficult to perform. 

The slow pace. — Though somewhat similar to the rac- 
ing pace, this gait diff^ers in that both feet on the same 
side of the body do not strike the ground at the same 



114 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

time. There is just enough impact to introduce a short 
interval, thus making it a four-beat gait. It is difficult 
for some horses to perform. 

Popularity of the American Saddle horse. — Kentucky 
justly claims to have been the nursery of the American 
Saddle horse, although the breed is very popular both 
for business and pleasure throughout the southern states 
and Canada. Stallions have been sent to Mexico and to 
South American countries, as w^ell as to England. The 
American Saddlebred stallion is rather popular for cross- 
ing on common mares to improve the gaits, and the gen- 
eral appearance as w^ell as the quality of the offspring of 
these mares. Further, such crosses are used in the produc- 
tion ol the hunter, the army horse, and to some extent in 
the production of the polo pony. 

Organizations and records. — In 189 1, the National 
Saddle Horse Breeders' Association was organized v^ith 
headquarters at Louisville, Kentucky. In 1899, the name 
of the society was changed to the American Saddle Horse 
Breeders' Association. The society established a stud 
book and published six volumes, registering 6,327 animals. 
Later the stud book was revised, and thus far five volumes 
of the revised edition have appeared containing a total of 
15,000 entries. 1 he credit for much of this work belongs 
to Major David Castleman and General John B. Castle- 
man of Kentuckv. 



CHAPTER X 
THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 

The Standardbred breed includes both the American 
trotter and pacer, often erroneously spoken of as separate 
breeds. They have a common history, and the only dis- 
tinguishing character between them, if any, depends upon 
their gait. However, the gaits are interchangeable, and 
the same horse may pace on one occasion and trot on 
another. 

The origin of the Standardbred horse. — This breed is 
of American origin, though tracing to animals imported 
from England, where for many years horses have been 
trotted and run under the saddle. For more than a century 
Norfolk and Yorkshire, England, have been noted for 
their trotting horses. It is stated that in June, 1800, the 
Norfolk trotting mare Phenomena, at 12 years of age, 
trotted 17 miles in 56 minutes, carrying a weight in 
saddle of about 225 pounds on the Huntingdon road. In 
July of the same year she trotted it in 53 minutes. Fur- 
ther, it is stated that, in 181 1, when 22, years of age, she 
trotted nine miles in 28 minutes. It is also stated that 
in 1806 the horse Pretender trotted 16 miles in one hour, 
carrying 210 pounds. 

Most important source of Standardbred blood. — The 
English Thoroughbred furnished much of the improved 
blood entering into the formation of the American 
Standardbred horse. The ancestry can be traced in an 
unbroken line to Darley Arabian, as is illustrated in the 
chart (p. 120), Darley Arabian siring Flying Childers, 
who sired Blaze, who in turn sired Sampson and Shales, 
and so on down the list. Perhaps the most important 
source was the importation of the stallions Messenger 
and Bellfounder, whose histories are worthy mention. 

115 



ii6 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Messenger. — In America, this horse is commonly 
known as Imported Messenger. He was born in 1780 
in England, became a successful racer, and as a five-year- 
old won the King's Plate. He was a gray, 15.3 hands 
high, with strong loins and powerful hind quarters. Mes- 
senger was imported to the United States in May, 1788, 
and placed in the stud. He was in the stud service 

for 20 years in 
America, stand- 
ing in Pennsyl- 
vania, New Jer- 
sey and 
York. He 
January 
1808. His 
noted son, 
brino, out 
daughter of 




Fig. 70. — Standardbred Stallion "Directum," 
2.051/4 



New 
died 

28, 

most 
Mam- 
of a 
Im- 
ported Sour 
Crout, was born 
in 1806. He was 
a bright bay, 
with a star and 
high. Mambrino's 
born in 1823, and 



white ankle, and was 16 hands 

most famous son was Abdallah I. 

out of Amazonia. He was a bay horse, about 15.2 hands 

high, and is described as being rather coarse and lacking 

symmetry. It is also stated that he was of indifferent 

disposition, and was not very popular as a sire. 

Bellfoiinder. — In America, this horse is commonly 
known as Imported Bellfounder, and in England as Jary's 
Bellfounder 55. He was born in 1815, and imported to 
the United States in 1822, when taken to Orange county, 
New York, and placed in stud service. He secured his 
fame, in the Standardbred foundation, through his daugh- 
ter, the Charles Kent Mare, the dam of Hambletonian 10, 
which serves as the connecting link between the English 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 



117 



runners and the Norfolk trotters (see chart, p. 120)* 
Bellfounder was a bright bay with black mane, tail and 
legs. ■ He stood about 15 hands high and was a natural 
trotter. It is stated that he was very fleet, trotting 17 
miles in an hour. Velocity, his dam, was also a noted 
trotter, and is said to have trotted 16 miles in an hour 
on the Norwich road in 1806. 

Influence of American horses. — In the early colonial 
days, most of the traveling was done on horseback, and 




FIG. 71.— STANDARDBRED STALLION "BRETINI," 2.22 1^, 

conditions were favorable to developing horses of hardi- 
ness and endurance. Thus we have the Narragansett 
pacers developed largely in Rhode Island ; the Canadian 
pacers in Canada ; the Morgans in Vermont ; the Pilots, 
which were taken to Kentucky, and many other noted 
strains, all of which played a very important part in the 
establishment of the Standardbred. 

Hambletonian lo. — Perhaps no horse of any breed or 
period in this or any other country has excited an interest 
so universal or represented such a vast sum of money in 



ii8 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



his offspring and descendants as that of Hambletonian 
lo, sometimes referred to as Rysdyke's Hambletonian. 
He was bred by Jonas Seely of Chester, Orange county. 
New York, born May 15, 1849, sired by Abdallah I., and 
out of the Charles Kent Mare. When a suckling he was 
sold with his dam to William M. Rysdyke for $125. 
Hambletonian 10 was a bay, with star and white ankles. 
He stood 15.2 hands high and was powerful in build. He 
stood somewhat higher behind than in front. When three 
years old he was trained for a time and made a record of 
2.48 over the Union course. 



Abdallah 1 

Standardbred 



r Messenger i J^ambrino* 

Mambrino .... J Thoroughbred ' D- of Turf 
Standardbred j^^aughter of ... { Sour Crout 



f Son of 



Messenger 



.Amazonia 

Standardbred 



Hambletonian 10-' 



I Charles Kent 
L Mare.. 



One Eye. 



1^ Unknown - 



'Bellfounder 55..^ 
Hackney ' 



r Bellfounder 52. 
' Hackney 



L Unknown . 



rHambletonian . | Messenger 
1 Bishops 1 Pleasant by 

l^Silvertail .. 



Shark 
Messenger 
Black Jin 



*See chart p 120. 

Hambletonian lo began his stud career in 185 1 as a 
two-year-old, and with the exception of one year (1868) 
he continued in the stud until 1875. During the 23 years' 
service it is stated that he covered 1,930 mares, getting 
1,333 colts, an average of 69% of foals to mares served. 
It is stated that the total service fee amounted to $207,790. 



FAMILIES OF STANDARDBRED HORSES 

During the development of the Standardbred breed of 
horses a number of stallions became very prominent and 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE II9 

their descendants assumed family names. Most of these 
families are more or less submerged in the breed, but at 
least one of them stands out so prominent as to be con- 
sidered a separate breed by some persons. 

The Hambletonian family. — This family descended 
from Hambletonian lo, and at least in number and im- 
portance, stands first in the list. This noted stallion sired 
40 standard trotters, the most famous, particularly from 
a breeding point of view, being Electioneer, George 
Wilkes, Abdallah 15 and Happy Medium. 

Electioneer. — This horse is the sire of 160 standard per- 
formers, 158 trotters and two pacers. His particular fame 
is due to his offspring developing speed at an early age. 
His most noted sons are Sphinx, Chimes and Norval, each 
with icx) or more standard performers. 

George Wilkes. — This horse is the sire of 83 standard 
performers, y2 trotters and 11 pacers. His great fame is 
due to the speed-transmitting ability of his sons. At the 
close of 19 12 there were but 10 stallions with 150 or more 
standard performers, and George Wilkes is the sire of 
five of them and the grandsire of three others (see chart, 
p. 120). His greatest sons are Gambetta Wilkes, On- 
ward, Red Wilkes and Alcantara, each the sire of 170 or 
more standard performers. Red Wilkes is the sire of 
Ashland Wilkes, a horse with 171 standard performers 
to his credit, and Jay Bird, another noted son of George 
Wilkes, is the sire of Allerton, the leading sire of the 
breed, having 246 standard performers to his credit. 

Abdallah 15. — While this horse is the sire of but five 
standard performers, his son, Belmont, sired Nutwood, 
the sire of 174 standard performers, 137 trotters and 37 
pacers. Nutwood leads all other stallions as sires of 
producing brood mares. Abdallah also sired Major Edsal, 
the sire of Robert McGregor, a horse with 112 standard 
performers, 98 trotters and 13 pacers. 

Happy Medium. — This horse sired 99 performers, 88 
trotters and 11 pacers. His greatest son. Pilot Medium, 



I20 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



sired 127 standard performers, 103 trotters and 24 pacers. 
Happy Medium also sired Milton Ned, sire of Sidney Dil- 
lon, who sired Lou Dillon, champion trotting mare. 

Among other noted sons of Hambletonian 10 are Dic- 
tator, with 60 performers in the list ; Strathmore, with 89 
in the list ; Egbert, with 85 in the list ; Aberdeen, with 52 
in the list, and Harold, with 45 in the list; also the sire 
of Maud S., 2.08^, champion trotter 1883-5. 

Chart Showing Descent of Standardbred from Darley 
Arabian Through Messenger and Bellfounder ; the 
Relation of the Standardbred to the Thoroughbred 
AND Norfolk Trotter; and the Relationship of the 
Ten Stallions with 150 or More Performers, the 
Figures Following the Names Indicating the Num- 
ber OF Performers : 



Darley Arabian 

I 
Flying Childers 

Blaze 

I 



Sampson 

Engineer 

Mambrino 

I 
Messenger 



Mambrino 
Abdallah 



Hambletonian 
I (Bishop's) 



Silvertail 

I 



One Eye 

I 



Charles Kent Mare 



Hambletonian (10) 

I 



I I 

Electioneer 160 George Wilkes 



Gambetta Wilkes 229 Alcantara 174 Onward 200 

Red Wilkes 180 Baron Wilkes 153 Alcyone 

I I 

Ashland Wilkes 171 Jay Bird Mc Kinney 160 
I 
Allerton 246 



i 

Shales 

I 
Driver 

The Fireaways 

Pretender 

Bellfounder 52 

Bellfounder 55 



Abdallah (15) 

Bellmont 

I 
Nutwood 200 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 



121 



The Morgan family. — This is one of the oldest trotting 
families and at the present time is considered by many as 
a separate breed. The family takes its name from Justin 
Morgan, said to be by True Briton out of a daughter of 
Diamond, both sire and dam tracing to Godolphin Barb, 
The breeding of Justin Morgan has been questioned, and 
it is stated that 
little is known of 
his ancestors. He 
was born in 1793, 
at West Spring- 
field, Massachu- 
setts, but was 
later removed to 
Vermont, in which 
state this family 
of horses has 
gained fame. He 
is described as a 
dark bay, with 

D 1 a CK points, piQ^ 72, STANDARDBRED MORGAN STALLION 

about 14 hands 

high and weighing 950 pounds, a fast walker, a good 

trotter, and very intelligent, being used as a parade 

horse, and as a short distance runner and a farm work 

horse. 

Justin Morgan had a long stud career and proved a very 
prepotent sire, though he did not produce great breeding 
sons as did Hambletonian 10. The three sons of Justin 
Morgan that were most prolific as a source of trotters 
were Sherman Morgan, Woodbury and Bulrush. Sher- 
man Morgan's most noted son, Black Hawk, born in 1833, 
was a trotter and noted sire. Black Hawk's most noted 
son, Ethan Allen, born in 1849, ^^so became popular as a 
successful trotter and famous as a sire. In 1858 he made 
a record of 2.28, at that time the champion record. He 
sired 36 producing sons and daughters, the most noted 




122 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



being Daniel Lambert, himself the sire of 38 trotters. 
It is of interest to note that the sire of Daniel Lambert's 
dam was Abdallah I, the sire of Hambletonian 10. 

In 1906, the United States government, in co-operation 
with the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station, estab- 
lished a stud of Morgans, where experimental work is 

being conducted with 
a view of preserving 
the Morgan type at 
its best, including 
conformation, endur- 
ance and ruggedness, 
for which they have 
been noted. General 
Gates, the pure Mor- 
gan at the head of 
the stud, is black in 
color, 14 hands 2^ 
inches high and 
weighing about 1,000 
pounds. In 1904, the 
United States gov- 
ernment, in co-operation with the Colorado Agricultural 
Experiment Station, established a stud with the object of 
evolving a breed of carriage horses from American ma- 
terial. The Standardbred stallion Carmon, a descendant 
of Justin Morgan, is at the head of the stud. He is beau- 
tiful bay in color, 16 hands high and weighs 1,200 pounds. 
The Mambrino family. — This family takes its name 
from Mambrino Chief, by Mambrino Paymaster, by Mam- 
brino, by Messenger. Mambrino Chief's dam is Un- 
traced. He was born in 1844, a dark brown, standing 16 
hands high and said to be rather coarse. He was taken 
to Kentucky in 1854 and placed in the stud. His noted 
son, Mambrino Patchen, sired 25 standard trotters, while 
his daughter Dolly was the dam of Onward, Director 
and Thorndale, three famous animals. Mambrino King, 




Fig. 73. — Standardbred Stallion "Carmon' 
At the head of the Ft. Collins stud 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 1 23 

by Mambrino Patchen, sired yy performers and was re- 
garded by many persons as the most beautiful horse of 
his day. He also sired Elyria, who has 128 standard 
performers to his credit, 108 trotters and 20 pacers. 

The Clay family. — This family is generally considered to 
start with Henry Clay, hence the name, but it really traces 
back through the male line to Grand Bshaw, born in 1816, 
and imported from Tripoli in 1820. Grand Bshaw was bred 
to Pearl by First Counsel, out of Fancy by Messenger, 
and from this union resulted Young Bshaw, the sire of 
Andrew Jackson, the fastest trotter of his day, especially 
as a two-miler. Andrew Jackson was bred to the trotting 
mare Lady Surry from which union resulted Henry Clay 
8, born in 1837, Henry Clay 8 sired Cassius M. Clay 18, 
who sired George M. Patchen 2.23^, champion trotting 
stallion in 1859-60. Cassius M. Clay 18 sired Cassius M. 
Clay 20, who in turn sired Harry Clay 45, the sire of 
Green Mountain Maid. This family attains its notoriety 
most largely through Green Mountain Maid and Beauti- 
ful Bells, both of which are of this descent. 

The Pilot family. — This family takes its name from 
Pilot, born in 1828, in the Province of Quebec, near Mon- 
treal. Little is known of his breeding except that his 
dam was Jeanne d'Arc, by Voyager. Pilot was taken to 
Connecticut when a colt, to New York in 1830, to New 
Orleans in 1831, and in 1832 he was returned to Kentucky 
where he died in 1853. He was both a trotter and pacer. 
His most noted son, Pilot Jr., out of Nancy Polk, by 
Funk's Havoc, was born in 1844. Pilot Jr. was gray in 
color, 15.2 hands high and noted as a breeder of brood 
mares. He sired Miss Russell, Midnight and Water- 
witch, to which the famih^ owes its principal fame. 

Hal family. — This family takes its name from Tom Hal, 
a roan horse born in Canada, but afterwards taken to 
Kentucky. His breeding is not known, but it is stated 
that he contained Morgan blood. His greatest son, Gib- 
son's Tom Hal, sired Brown Hal, who has 94 standard 



124 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



performers to his credit, three trotters and 91 pacers, 
among them Star Pointer, a pacer of speed, character and 
endurance that reduced the pacing record to 1.59^. 

Three famous Standardbred brood mares. — While the 
list of notable trotting and pacing brood mares is very- 
long, including many thousand of more or less distinction, 
3^et there are three mares worthy special mention ; 




FIG. 74.— STANDARDBRED STALLION "KREMLIN," 2.07% 

namely, Beautiful Bells, Green Mountain Maid and Miss 
Russell. 

Beautiful Bells. — This mare was bred by L. J. Rose of 
California, and was sired by The Moore, and out of 
Minnehaha and born in 1872. Early in life she was pur- 
chased by Leland Stanford of Palo Alto, who also owned 
Electioneer. She produced 11 standard trotters and 
eight producing sires, either by Electioneer or his sons. 
On her sire's side she was a Clay and on her dam's a 
Mambrino. 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 12^ 

Green Mountain Maid. — This mare was bred by Samuel 
Conklin of Middletown, New York, and was sired by 
Harry Clay, and out of Shanghai Mary, and born in 1862. 
She stood 15 hands high and was brown in color, with 
star and white hind ankles. She spent the most of her 
life in the possession of Charles Backman at Stony Ford 
Farm, dying in 1888, at the age of 26 years. Green 
Mountain Maid produced 16 foals, 14 of which were sired 
by Messenger Duroc. Her greatest son was Electioneer, 
her second foal, and sired by Hambletonian 10. Of the 
16 colts, nine were standard trotters. In her memory, 
the year following her death Backman erected a granite 
monument with the inscription "On the spot dedicated 
to her worth and honored by her dust." 

Adiss Russell. — A gray mare bred by R. A. Alexander, 
Woodburn, Kentucky, and was sired by Pilot Jr., and out 
of Sally Russell by Boston. Miss Russell was the dam 
of 18 foals, seven of them standard performers, five 
trotters and two pacers. Her first and greatest son was 
Nutwood, by Belmont, and her most famous daughter 
was Maud S., by Harold, the champion trotter of her day. 

The famous present-day stallions. — As with the dams, 
the list of famous trotting and pacing sires is a very long 
one, and it is not possible to consider each. There are, 
how^ever, three modern sires that seem worthy of special 
mention, namely, Peter the Great, Bingen and McKinney. 

Peter the Great. — This horse was bred by D. D. Streeter, 
Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was sired by Pilot Medium, 
and out of Santos, dam of standard performers. He was 
born in 1895. Peter the Great stands 16 hands high and 
weighs 1,150 pounds. He has 99 standard performers, 
94 trotters and five pacers. While he is now only 16 
years of age, he has 13 performers in the 2.10 list. He is 
the only stallion to wan and sire a winner of the Kentucky 
futurity. 

Bingen.'^ — This horse was bred by A. Smith McCann, but 

*Bingen died April 13, 1913. 



126 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



was born the property o£ D. Bennett, Lexington, Ken- 
tucky, and was sired by May King, and out of Young 
Miss, and born in 1893. Bingen is the sire of 133 standard 
performers, 105 trotters and 28 pacers. In his eighteenth 
year of age he has 10 performers in the 2.10 list. He is 
particularly noted as a sire of extreme speed, his famous 
son, Uhlan, out of Blonde, by Sir Walter Jr., having a 

record of 1.58, 
the champion 
trotter of today. 
McKinney. — 
This horse was 
bred by H. H. 
Wilson, Cynthi- 
ana, Kentucky, 
and was sired by 
Alcyone, and out 
of Rosa Sprague. 
He was born in 
1887. McKin- 
ney is the sire of 
165 standard 
performers, 133 
trotters and 32 pacers. He is famous as a sire of extreme 
speed, and at the close of 191 1 leads the list of 2.10 per- 
formers with a total of 23 — 13 trotters and 10 pacers. 

Famous horses and prices paid. — The highest price ever 
paid for a Standardbred horse was $125,000, paid by J. M. 
Forbes of Boston for Arion, 2.07^, by Electioneer; the 
next highest price was paid by W. P. I jams, president of 
the American Trotting Association, for Axtell, 2.12, by 
William L., and the amount was $105,000; Bradley of 
the Ardman Farm at Raritan, New Jersey, paid $50,000 
for Bingen, 2.06^ ; Simpson of the Empire City Farms, 
Cuba, New York, paid $50,000 for McKinney, 2.1 i}i, by 
Alcyone. Hanna of Cleveland, Ohio, paid $50,000 for 
Hamburg Belle, which is the highest price ever paid for 




Fig. 75. — Standardbred Stallion "McKinney," 2.11 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE I27 

a mare. Dan Patch, i.55>4» the champion pacing horse, 
was purchased for $60,000 by Savage, who has since 
refused $180,000 for him. 

Description of the Standardbred horse.— There are 
many pronounced types among Standardbred horses. 
Perhaps no breed of horses has been produced under 
more variable conditions, and certainly no recognized 
breed contains a greater variation in size, color and char- 
acter than does this light harness breed. Good examples 
of the two extremes are Lou Dillon and Sweet Marie ; 
the former a speed marvel, slim and graceful, with a high 
nervous organization, the latter, a great campaigner, 
stronger framed, fuller muscled, of larger size, and of 
remarkable strength and endurance. 

The head should be of medium size, clean cut and 
carried high. The neck should be of medium length, 
muscular and graceful, with a noticeable crest in the 
stallion. The shoulders should be long and sloping, 
withers refined and chest low. The back should be fairly 
level, short and strong, while the underline should be 
long. The loin and croup should be strong and well 
muscled, but graceful, with the tail well attached and 
carried high. The quarters should be long and muscular. 
The legs above the knees and hocks should be long, lean 
and muscular, thus giving length from withers to knees, 
and from hips to hocks. The knees and hocks should be 
strongly supported and clean cut. The cannons should 
be short and clean, with tendons well detached, thus 
giving depth. The pasterns should be clean and slope 
nicely, while the feet, both fore and hind, should be even 
in size, moderately large, and of healthy, oily color. The 
Standardbred horse has a strong, quick and long stride, 
with clean knee and hock action and trots to better ad- 
vantage than any other breed. 

There is much discussion as to the correct conforma- 
tion for a pacer, as many of the most famous pacers show 
a steepness of the croup and curving of hocks, which 



128 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



appears to be more or less associated with the gait, 
though many persons state this is not necessarily true.. 

The height is exceedingly variable, averaging 15 to i6 
hands, and good weights are 900 pounds for mares and 
1,150 pounds for stallions. 

The trotting and pacing standard. — "When an animal 




FIG. 76.— STANDARDBRED STALLION "BINGARA" 



meets these requirements and is duly registered, it shall 
be accepted as a Standardbred trotter: 

"i. The progeny of a registered standard trotting horse 
and a registered standard trotting mare. 

"2. A stallion sired by a registered standard trotting 
horse, provided his dam and granddam were sired by 
registered standard trotting horses, and he himself has 
a record of 2.30 and is the sire of three trotters with 
records of 2.30 from different mares. 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 12g 

"3. A mare whose sire is a registered standard trotting 
horse, and whose dam and granddam were sired by regis- 
tered trotting horses, provided she herself has a trotting 
record of 2.30 or is the dam of one trotter with a record 
of 2.30. 

"4. A mare sired by a registered standard trotting 
horse, provided she is the dam of two trotters with 
records of 2.30. 

"5. A mare sired by a registered standard trotting 
horse, provided her first, second and third dams are each 
sired by a registered standard trotting horse.'' 

The pacing standard is similar except the word 'Spacer" 
is substituted for the word "trotter;" "pacing" for the 
word "trotting;" the speed standard 2.25 for 2.30; and 
the addition of a sixth paragraph, which is as follows : 

"6. The progeny of a registered standard trotting horse 
out of a registered standard pacing mare, or of a regis- 
tered standard pacing horse out of a registered standard 
trotting mare."* 

Influence of the standard. — Recordingperformance when 
making the standard has been a most important factor in 
developing extreme speed in the trotter and pacer. This 
method not only distinguishes the slow and fast horses, 
but from the records the breeder can determine those that 
are actually producing fast horses. In breeding, the slow 
ones are discarded and the fast ones are propagated, 
which, in connection with improved conditions, enables 
us to get still faster producers. Again the slow ones are 
discarded and the fast propagated, with the results that 
the maximum speed of the race has been raised. The 
following tables show the reduction in time for a mile 
track with horses in harness between 1810 and 1912. The 
table gives the name of the horse, place of the race, date 
and time. 



*Wallace's American Trotting Register, page 4. 



130 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Trotting Records Reduced 



Date 


Name of horse 


Place of record 


Record 


1810 


Boston 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


2.48i 


1826 


Trouble 


Jamaica, N. Y. 


2.43^ 


1834 


Sally Miller 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


2.37 


1838 


Edwin Forest 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


2.36^ 


1839 


Dutchman 


Hoboken, N. J. 


2.32 


1845 


Lady Suffolk 


Hoboken, N. J. 


2.29^ 


1849 


Pelham 


Tamaica, N. Y. 


2.28 


1853 


Highland Maid 


"amaica, N. Y. 


2.27 


1856 


Flora Temple 


Jamaica, N. Y. 


2.24-1 


1859 


Flora Temple 


Kalamazoo, Mich. 


2.19f 


1867 


Dexter 


Buffalo, N. Y. 


2.17i 


1871 


Goldsmith Maid 


Milwaukee, Wis. 


2.17 


1874 


Goldsmith Maid 


Boston, Mass. 


2.14 


1878 


Rams 


Buffalo. N. Y. 


2A31 


1879 


St. Julien 


Oakland, Cal. 


l.\2\ 


1880 


Maud S. 


Chicago, 111. 


2.10J 


1884 


Jay-Eye-See 


Providence, R. I. 


2.10 


1885 


Maud S. 


Cleveland, Ohio 


2.081 


1891 


Sunol 


Stockton, Cal. 


2.081 


1892 


Nancy Hanks 


Terre Haute, Ind. 


2.04 


1894 


Alix 


Galesburg, 111. 


2.03- 


1900 


The Abbot 


Terre Haute, Ind. 


2.03- 


1901 


Cresceus 


Columbus, Ohio 


2.02- 


1903 


Lou Dillon 


Readville, Mass. 


2.00 


1903 


Lou Dillon 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.58A* 


1912 


Uhlan 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.58 



* Paced by runner to sulky carrying wind or dust shield. 

Pacing Records Reduced 



Date 


Name of horse 


Place of record 


Record 


1839 


Dover 


Hoboken, N. J. 


2.28 


1844 


Fanny Ellsler 


Albany, N. Y. 


2.27§ 


1844 


Unknown 


Hoboken, N. J. 


2.23 


1852 


Pet 


Long Island, N. Y. 


2.18i 


1855 


Pocahontas 


Long Island, N. Y. 


2.17- 


1879 


Sleepy George 


Rochester, N. Y. 


2.15- 


1879 


Sleepy Tom 
Little Brown Jug 


Chicago, 111. 


2.12- 


1881 


Hartford, Conn. 


2.11- 


1884 


Johnston 


Chicago, 111. 


2.06- 


1891 


Direct 


Independence, Iowa 


2.06 


1892 


Hal Pointer 


Chicago, 111. 


2.05 i 


1892 


Mascot 


Terre Haute, Ind. 


2.04 


1894 


Robert J. 


Terre Haute, Ind. 


2.01 


1896 


John R. Gentry 
Star Pointer 


Portland, Me. 


2.00- 


1897 


Readville, Mass. 


1.59- 


1904 


Prince Albert 


Empire City, N. Y. 


1.57* 


1905 


Dan Patch 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.551* 



* Paced by runner to sulky carrying wind or dust shield. 

Trotting and pacing records. — There are many standard 
trotting and pacing events, and while the horses at the 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 



131 



top of such events are constantly changing, yet it would 
seem that the fastest records were worthy special men- 
tion. The following tables contain the world's records 
for the more important events up to January i, 1913, 
showing the name of the horse, place, date and record : 



Trotting Records 



Date 


Event 


Name of horse 


Place 


Record 


1904 


Half mile 


Major Delmar 


Memphis, Tenn. 


.591 


1912 


One mile 


Uhlan 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.58 


1909 


One mile in race 


Hamburg Belle 


North Randall, Ohio 


2.0U 


1910 


Two miles 


The Harvester 


Lexington, Ky. 


4.15i 


1902 


Five miles 


Zambra 


Lexington, Ky. 


12.24 


1893 


Ten miles 


Pascal 


New York, N. Y. 


26.15 


1865 


Twenty miles 


Capt. McGowan 


Boston, Mass. 


58.25 


1846 


Fifty miles 


Ariel 


Albany, N. Y. 


3.55.40i 


1853 


One hundred miles 


Conqueror 


Centerville, L. I. 


8.55.53 


1910 


Fastest stallion 


The Harvester 


Columbus, 0. 


2.10 


1912 


Fastest gelding 


Uhlan 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.58 


1903 


Fastest mare 


Lou Dillon 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.58^* 


1912 


Fastest yearling 


Airdale 


Lexington, Kv. 


2.15- 


1909 


Fastest two-year-old 


Native Belle 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.07j 


1910 


Fastest three-year-old 


Colorado E. 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.04- 


1910 


Fastest four-year-old 


Joan 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.04i 


1904 


To high-wheel sulky 


Major Delmar 


Memphis, Tenn. 


2.07 


1911 


To wagon 


Uhlan 
\ Uhlan 
/ Lewis Forrest 


Cleveland, Ohio 


2.00 


1912 


Double team 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.031 



* Paced by runner to sulky carrying wind or dust shield. 

Pacing Records 



Date 


Event 


Name of horse 


Place 


Record 


1903 


Half mile 


Dan Patch 


Memphis, Tenn. 


.56* 


1905 


One mile 


Dan Patch 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.55i* 


1910 


One mile in race 


Minor Heir 


Indianapolis, Ind. 


1.59 


1903 


Two miles 


Dan Patch 


Macon, Ga. 


4.17 


1874 


Five miles 


Lady St. Clair 


San Francisco, Cal. 


12.54f 


1905 


Fastest stalhon 


Dan Patch 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.55i* 


1903 


Fastest gelding 


Prince Alert 


New York, N. Y. 


1.59f* 


1903 


Fastest mare 


Dariel 


Memphis, Tenn. 


2.00i 


1911 


Fastest yearhng 


Frank Perry 


Lexington, Ky. ' 


2.15 


1894 


Fastest two-year-old 


Directly 


Galesburg, 111. 


2.07f 


1911 


Fastest three-year-old 


Miss DeForrest 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.05i 


1912 


Fastest four-year-old 


Braden Direct 


Lexington, Ky. 


2.03f 


1903 


To high-wheel sulky 


Dan Patch 


Macon, Ga. 


2.045* 


1903 


To wagon 


Dan Patch 
{ Minor Heir 
( George Gano 


Memphis, Tenn. 


1.57i 


1912 


Double team 


Columbus, Ohio 


2.02 



* Paced by runner to sulky carrjdng wind or dust shiel4. 



132 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Famous drivers of racing horses. — The driver is a very 
important factor in light harness racing events. To be 
successful he must possess a keen knowledge of the tem- 
perament and capacity of the horse. Among the more 
famous drivers in America may be mentioned John Splan, 
Charles Marvin, Budd Doble, E. F. Geers, T. W. Murphy, 

Alonzo and Alta 
McDonald, and 
many others. In 
1912 the following 
sums were won in 
races by the driv- 
ers mentioned : T. 
W. Murphy, $58,- 
038; W. B. Cox, 
$51,878; E. F. 
Geers, $35,169; A. 
McDonald, $32,- 
841 ; A. S. Rodney, 
$32,250; W. F. 
Snow, $24,851, and 
W. G. Durfee, 
$22,730. 

Organizations and records. — In 1870 the National 
Trotting Association was organized, with present head- 
quarters at Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1887 the 
American Trotters' Association was organized, with head- 
quarters at Chicago, Illinois. The American Trotting 
Register, published by J. H. Wallace, appeared in 1868. 
Wallace also established the Year Book, now in its 
twenty-eighth volume, in w^hich the performance is 
recorded. In 1891, Wallace sold the Register, Year Book 
and Monthly Magazine to the American Trotting Regis- 
ter Association, who now publish the Register and Year 
Book. 

The Orloff Trotter. — As the name implies, this is a 
breed of trotting horses, and is of Russian origin, having 




Fig. 77. — Standardbred Stallion "Cresceus," 2.02 14 



THE STANDARDBRED HORSE 



133 



no connection with the American Standardbred, but is 
discussed in this connection because it is comparatively 
unknown in America and does not seem worthy an entire 
chapter. 

The origin of the breed dates back to 1777 when, it is 
stated. Count Alexis Orloff begun the work of develop- 
ing a new breed of 
horse to suit the 
needs of Russia. 
About 1777 or 1780 
Orloff obtained an 
Arab stallion named 
Smetanka from the 
Orient. This horse 
was said to be silver 
white in color, very 
muscular, and to be 
about 15 hands high. 
He was used in the 
stud but a short time 
when he died, but he 
sired four stallions 
and one mare, mostly 
b y Thoroughbred 
dams. Of these, the 
most noted was 
Polkan 1st, who sired 
seven stallions and 
21 mares. Barss or 

Bars 1st was the most noted son of Polkan ist. Bars ist 
was foaled in 1784, and became a very important factor 
in founding the Orloff Trotter. He died in 1808. 

Count Orloff established a large stud, using his stallions 
on Thoroughbred mares from England. It is stated that 
he sold no stallions and that he developed two distinct 
groups, practicing in-breeding on one, but keeping the 
Other group free from in-breeding, by using English 




Fig. 78.- 



-Standardbred Stallion 
Patch," 1.55 ^A 



'Dan 



134 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

stock. In 1845, when the stud was sold to the Russian 
government there were 21 stallions and 194 mares of the 
Orloff group, and nine stallions and 112 mares of the 
Orloff-Hackney group. The Russians continued to de- 
velop the breed, but it is practically unknown outside of 
Russia. 

Description of the Orloff Trotter. — In conformation the 
Orloff Trotter is heavier set than the American Standard- 
bred, weighing 1,100 to 1,300 pounds, and standing from 
15.3 to 16.2 hands high. While these horses are credited 
with great power and speed, they are not nearly the equal 
of the American trotter, as the best record known is that 
made by Wzamakb, 2.27^, imported by Jacob Heyl. In 
recent years the breed has been much improved by im- 
porting American trotters and crossing with the Orloff. 
It is stated that the half-bred offspring has shown greater 
speed as a rule than the sire. 



CHAPTER XI 
THE HACKNEY COACH HORSE 

Among stylish horses, the Hackney coach horse holds 
first place. The symmetrical form, as well as the very 
high and free action, are distinguishing features of the 
breed. 

The native home of the Hackney horse. — This breed of 
horses was developed in eastern and northeastern Eng- 
land, particularly in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and 
York. For many centuries the people of this region have 
encouraged the production of light active horses suited 
to saddle work, and succeeded in developing a strong, 
small trotter. 

The origin of the Hackney horse. — In the eleventh cen- 
tury, when the Normans invaded Great Britain, they 
brought from France the term Haquenee or Hacquenee, 
which is derived from the Latin Equus, horse, and cor- 
responds to the Danish word nag. The common people 
applied the word nag to any and every small horse, while 
the pacing and trotting horse of sufficient quality and 
substance to be owned by a Norman was spoken of as a 
Hackney. As early as 1303 this term is said to have 
come into common use. 

There can be no doubt that the native horses of eastern 
England were much influenced by importations from the 
Continent, particularly by the Romans, Scandinavians 
and Norwegians. This mixture gave to the early British 
horse stock both speed and endurance. There seems to 
have been much interest taken in breeding trotting horses 
in Norfolk, as early as 1470, for in that year one of the 
family of Berney placed on one of his horses an estimated 
equivalent of $350. The fact that so much money was 
asked of a neighbor suggests that there was much interest 

135 



136 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



taken in the horse, for eight years before, in 1462, Lord 
Howard, another Norfolk trotter owner, paid an equiv- 
alent of $28 for a gray nag to send to the French king. 
To encourage improvement in the native horse royal 
decrees were enacted, the first one dated as early as 1495, 
during the reign of Henry VH. These laws were in- 
tended to promote the breeding of horses fit for the 

army. Soon 
other laws were 
passed to pro- 
mote horse 
breeding, the 
most notable be- 
ing in 1540 dur- 
ing the reign of 
Henry VIH. 
This act was 
noteworthy, as it 
provided that all 
who were able 
should maintain 

Fig. 79.— Hackney Stallion "Enfield Nipper" One or morC 

horses. A f e w 
years later followed the first English book on the horse. 
The book was designated ''The Foure Chiefest Offices 
Belonging to Horsemanship," and was written by Ralph 
Blunderville, and appeared in 1558. 

Development of the Hackney coach horse. — While much 
improvement had been accomplished in the road horses of 
Norfolk and Suffolk, the real development of the Hackney 
coach horse did not begin until the eighteenth century. 
During the early part of the century, mention is made of 
the use of stallions imported from Arabia, Barbary and 
Turkey and crossing them on the native mares of Nor- 
folk. The Thoroughbred was also used in crossing 
which, in connection with the Oriental crosses, increased 
the speed and improved the quality, thus providing ex- 




THE HACKNEY COACH HORSE 137 

cellent foundation material for the development of the 
modern Hackney coach horse. 

Shales and descendants. — No single horse played so 
important a part in the development of the Hackney as 
Shales (699), variously referred to as the Original Shales, 
Shields and Schales. He was born in 1755, sired by 
Blaze (see chart, p. 120), and out of a Hackney mare. 
Shales sired Scot Shales (692), born in 1762 and Driver 
(187), born in 1765 ; the former said to have been famous 
as a breeder getting good stock out of common mares, 
though himself a poor racer, v^hile the latter proved a 
great breeder, siring Jenkinson's Fireaway (201), born 
in 1780, who in turn sired West's Fireaway (203), born 
in 1800 and Wroot's Pretender (596), born in 1788. Fire- 
away (203) sired Burger's Fireaway (208), born in 1815, 
while Pretender (596) sired Stevens' Bellfounder (52), 
born in 1797. Fireaway (208) sired Ramsdell's Wildfire 
(864), born in 1827, and The Norfolk Cob (475), born in 
1819, while Bellfounder (52) sired Jary's Bellfounder 
(55), born in 1816. Wildfire (864) sired Ramsdale's 
Phenomenon (573), born in 1835, while The Norfolk Cob 
(475) sired The Norfolk Phenomenon (522), born in 
1824. Phenomenon (573) sired Performer (550), who in 
turn sired Beal's Sir Charles (768), born in 1843. Sir 
Charles (768) sired Bourda's Denmark (177), born in 
1862, and Denmark (177) sired Danegelt (174), born in 
1879. During recent years Denmark and Danegelt have 
been the most potent of the descendants of Shales. Other 
noted stallions are Lord Derby 2d, Bourda's Denmark, 
Triffitt's Fireaway, D'Oyley's Confidence, Duke of Con- 
naught, Pasador and Sir Horace. 

During the early development of the Hackney some of 
these Norfolk trotters showed remarkable speed (p. 115), 
especially when the distance traveled is considered, 
which, as has been stated, was of material benefit in the 
development of the Standardbred horse. Such records 
as made by Driver, said to have trotted 17 miles in one 



138 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



hour, carrying about 200 pounds, are of common report. 

The Hackney coach horse in America. — While the first 

importation dates back to 1822, when James Ford of 

Boston introduced Bellfounder (55) . (see chart, p. 120), 





W 






#« 




i 


c 


^ 

"^^ 


^^^^^'--^l^'i''-- • 




^■k 



FIG. 80.— HACKNEY STALLION "SIR HUMPHREY" 



commonly known as Imported Bellfounder, no others of 
note occurred until 1881, when M. H. Cochrane of Hill- 
hurst, Canada, imported a fine stallion named Fordham, 
a son of Denmark (177). A. J. Cassatt of Philadelphia 
established the first Hackney stud founded in the United 
States. He imported the noted stallion Little Wonder 
and the mares Patience and Buttercup in 1883, though 



THE HACKNEY COACH HORSE 



139 



before this he had brought over the mare Stella by Con- 
fidence. Following this came the era of the horse show 
when extensive importations were made, chiefly into the 
New England states and Canada, with scattering ones to 
Ohio, Wisconsin and other Central states. The largest 
of these importations was made in 1890 by Seward Webb 
of Vermont, who imported 31 animals, four of which were 
stallions. Then came a lull 
in the horse-importing busi- 
ness, but the first decade of 
the twentieth century wit- 
nessed a revival of the indus- 
try, and the following are 
the best known of the more 
recent importers : F. C. Stev- 
ens, Attica, New York ; Ebon 
D. Jordan, Boston, Massa- 
chusetts; Robert Beith, Bow- 
manville, Ontario, Canada ; 
A. B. Hobert, Greeley, Iowa; 
J. H. Truman & Sons, Bush- 
nell, Illinois; Fred Pabst, 
Oconomowoc, AVisconsin ; 
Calkins and Angsbury, Byron, Michigan, and Seward 
Webb of Vermont. 

Famous Hackney coach stallions. — While there have 
been many notable Hackney stallions in the United States 
perhaps the most famous of the present time are Fan- 
dango and Langton Performer, owned by F. C. Stevens ; 
Shawhill Duke, owned by P. E. Hoge ; Bagthorpe Sultan, 
owned by Henry Fairflax; Tiger Lillie, owned by R. C. 
Vanderbilt; Meanwood Majesty, owned by Fred Pabst; 
Aquinus, owned by D. J. Driscoll, and Land o' Burns, 
owned by C. H. Mackay. 

Some of the noteworthy prices paid during recent years 
are: Forest King, $13,000, by W. H. Moor; Matchless 
of Loudesboro, $15,000, by W. S. Webb; Hildred, 




Fig. 81. 



-Hackney Stallion "Lord 
Marlborough" 



140 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

$10,000, by E. T. Bedford; $20,000 for the four-in-hand 
Flashlight, Electric Light, Lord Burleigh and Lord 
Brooke; $10,000 by W. H. Moor for the bantam stallion 
Berkley Bantam; and $20,000 by Mrs. E. C. Brown for 
the bantam four-in-hand Master, Masterpiece, Masterkey 
and Masterman. 

Description of the Hackney coach horse. — There is 
much variation in type, although that most sought repre- 
sents a powerfully built horse with round ribs, muscular 
loin, plump quarters and short legs. Perhaps the Hack- 
ney is more blocky in form than any of the other coach 



FIG. 82.— HACKNEY BROOD MARES 

breeds, giving him an extremely smooth appearance with 
gracefully curved outlines. 

The head is of medium size, rather full, but with clean- 
cut features, and well carried; the eyes are large and 
clear and the ears medium size and specially alert. The 
neck is often rather full and of medium length. The 
shoulders are long, sloping and well muscled, favoring 
lifting power, which gives high knee action. The body 
is deep, the ribs round, and the back short and well 
muscled. The quarters are full and deep, with thighs well 
set and strongly muscled, thus favoring high hock action. 

There is much variation in height. In 1885 the Hack- 
ney Stud Book Society of England, at the request of the 



THE HACKNEY COACH HORSE 



141 



Royal Agricultural Society, increased the standard height 
for the breed to 15.2 hands. Hackneys are often classified 
according to height: Hackney ponies, under 14 hands; 
Hackney cobs, 14 to 15.2 hands; and Hackney coach 
horses, above 15.2 hands. The weight is also variable, 
but 1,000 pounds is a good weight for a mare and 1,200 
pounds for a stallion. At present chestnut is the favored 
color, though all colors are found. White markings are 
also very common. 

Much emphasis is placed upon soundness, and for the 
past few years the English Hackney Horse Society has 




FIG. 83.— HACKNEY STOCK FARM 



subjected the entries to its shows to veterinary examina- 
tion. This has favored keeping the breed free from un- 
soundness; and the percentage rejected is very small, 
perhaps about 5% on the average. 

The action. — Formerly the Hackney was valued for its 
long and strong action at the trot, but at the present time 
its chief merit resides in the high and often rather flashy 
action of the knees and hocks. It is said that Confidence 
(158) was noted for the transmission of this particular 
quality to his offspring. In the walk or trot the feet are 
lifted with snap and spring, and at the trot the front feet 
go forward after being uplifted, as if they were following 



142 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the rim of a wheel, while the hind feet are carried high as 
the hock is lifted sharply toward the body with much 
grace, strength and action. It is stylish, attractive action, 
not speed, that is important at the present time. 

Uses of the Hackney coach horse. — The high knee and 
hock action and the attractive appearance, either stand- 
ing or in motion, renders the Hackney very serviceable 
for stylish, heavy-harness, city driving. The breed has 
been improved with this special object in view, and it 
merits superior claims, excelling all other coach breeds 
in this particular field of activity. The degree to which 
the breed may be useful in producing a more general 
utility animal is not so clearly evident, though the Hack- 
ney is often used in crossing with common mares with 
a view of producing an all-around horse. 

Distribution of the Hackney. — This breed is more 
widely distributed than any other coach breed. From 
England it has gone into France, Germany, Holland, 
Denmark, Belgium, Spain and Italy in Europe ; east into 
Japan ; south into Africa and Australia ; and westward 
into the Argentine Republic in South America, as well as 
into Canada and the United States in North America. It 
is pressing its way into every country where heavy-har- 
ness horses are in demand. In the United States, the 
Hackney is found in largest numbers in New York, 
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Illinois, but numbers 
of the breed are becoming broadly scattered through the 
states in general. 

Organizations and records. — The English Hackney 
Horse Society was organized in 1883 and published the 
first volume of its stud book in 1884. The American 
Hackney Horse Society was organized in 1891, and the 
first volume of the stud book was published in 1893. 
Since then five volumes have appeared, registering 1,550 
stallions and 2,000 mares. 



CHAPTER XII 
THE FRENCH COACH HORSE 

The name ''French Coach" is of American origin, there 
being no breed of that name in France. The term ''Demi 
Sang," meaning half-blood, is the name employed to 
designate the coach horse in France, and was originally- 
applied to the offspring of English sire crossed to 
Norman mares. 

The native home of the French Coach horse. — This 
breed of horses was developed in France, particularly in 
the counties of Calvados, Orne and La Manche, which, 
in connection with Eure et Loir and Sarthe, compose that 
section of France known as Normandy, a region famous 
for its horses. Because of the proximity to England this 
region was influenced by the race course, and much 
attention was given to the improvement of the horse 
stock, with the result that the light horses soon became 
noted for speed and endurance. 

The origin of the French Coach horse. — Following the 
lead of England the French very early begun racing 
horses. In 1323, during the reign of Charles- le Bel, it is 
stated that racing was rather common. In the latter part 
of the seventeenth century, during the reign of Louis 
XIV, systematic attempts to improve the racing horse 
were begun by the French government. Colbert, a 
representative of Louis XIV, established the "Admin- 
istration des Haras" (administration of the Studs). This 
experiment proved successful, and did much to promote 
horse breeding in France. The work went rapidly for- 
ward and in 1714 a stud was founded at Le Pin, and in 
1755 another stud, with 12 sub-studs, were established at 
Pompadour, both being under government control. These 
studs were destroyed during the revolution, but were 

143 



144 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



restored by Napoleon in 1806, and have ever since re- 
mained important breeding studs, where French horses 
have been greatly improved. 

In the general improvement many sources v^ere drawn 
English Thoroughbreds have been liberally imported 



on 




FIG. 84.— FRENCH COACH STALLION "PALADIN' 



since the early days of the breed, and Norfolk trotters or 
Hackneys have been freely imported and liberally used. 
It is stated that in the inception of the breed 20 to 30 
Hackneys were imported annually. Many importations 
from Arabia and other Oriental countries have been made, 
particularly at the beginning of government control, and 



THE FRENCH COACH HORSE 145 

even stallions of American breeding have been used. 

Good examples of the varied sources from v^hich the 
French Coach sprang are exhibited in the stallions Niger, 
Tigris, Aemulus, Conquerant and Young Rattler, all of 
which v^ere famous in the studs of France. Niger, born 
in 1869, was sired by Norfolk Phenomenon, and out of 
Miss Bell, a half-blood American mare ; Tigris traces in 
direct male line to the English Thoroughbred, The Heir 
of Linne, imported to the stud at Tarbes, in 1859; 
Aemulus, born in 1871, was sired by Mambrino Paymas- 
ter, and out of Black Bess, a Morgan mare, thus combin- 
ing the Mambrino and Morgan families of American 
trotters; Conquerant traces through both sire and dam 
to English stock; and Young Rattler, born in England, 
served the stud in Normandy from 1820 to 1834. After 
the breed became established fewer animals were im- 
ported and in recent years it is claimed that the breeding 
has been confined to French animals entirely. The 
restriction was promoted by the establishment of a stud 
book. This was designated "The French Stud Book : A 
Register of Demi-Sang Horses," and was established by 
royal decree in 1833, for the preservation of pedigrees ; the 
first volume of which appeared in 1891, containing 3,219 
stallions and 1,445 Glares, registered between 1840 and 
1890. 

French methods for improving the horse. — Since the 
establishment of the ''Administration des Haras" during 
the reign of Louis XIV, the French government has made 
systematic efforts to promote the horse-breeding industry 
and to improve the horses of France. As early as 1690 
the government owned 1,600 stallions, classed as either 
'Voyal" or ''approved." Notwithstanding the political 
disturbance and war the number of government horses 
increased, and in 1789 there were over 3,000 approved and 
government stallions in France, which served about 
115,000 mares. The government continued to purchase 
stallions for its studs, and from 18 15 to 1830 imported 



146 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

223 from Arabia and other foreign countries, and in ad- 
dition purchased 853 from the northern counties of 
France and selected 826 from the government studs, 
making a total of 1,902 stallions. It was at the close of 
this period that the French Jockey Club was organized 
and the stud book adopted by royal decree, which did 
much to further the industry. 

In 1870, the management of the government studs was 
given to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. 
The general control of all government studs was placed 
in charge of a director, who is assisted by sub-directors, 
inspectors, superintendents and veterinarians. Another 
significant fact in this control is that to hold one of the 
offices one must be a graduate of the horse department 
at Le Pin. Perhaps this contributes to the general uni- 
formity of the horses throughout France more than any 
other single factor, and is in striking contrast to Amer- 
ican methods as brought about by the various states' 
stallion laws, where instead of a few inspectors with a 
common type, there are many inspectors with equally 
as many types (p. 43o)- 

Classes of public stallions in France. — There are three 
classes of public stallions standing in France: First, 
stallions owned in the government studs. In 1910 the 
number owned was 3,445, of which 2,214 were French 
Coach, 664 draft and 567 Thoroughbreds. Second, 
stallions owned privately, but approved or subsidized by 
the government. When thus approved the owners of 
such stallions are allowed from 300 to 5,000 francs ($60 
to $1,000) bonus, annually, from the Minister of Agricul- 
ture. In 1910, there were 1,709 approved and subsidized 
stallions of all types in France. Third, stallions that are 
authorized, having been passed upon by the officials and 
found worthy of public service. In 1910, there were 191 
authorized stallions of all types in France. All other 
stallions are prevented by a law passed in 1885 from 
standing for public service. 



THE FRENCH COACH HORSE 



147 



French Coach horse in America. — It is only recently 
that the French Coach horse has attracted attention in 
America. The late M. W. Dunham of Wayne, Illinois, 
and Powell Brothers of Springboro, Pennsylvania, were 
the first important breeders and importers in this country 
for years. In the early eighties extensive importations 
were made, largely to the eastern states, though many 
found their way westward to Ohio and Illinois. In the 
middle west the 
French Coach 
horse has been 
liberally patron- 
ized and when the 
foundation mares 
were of suitable 
type and pos- 
sessed a fair de- 
gree of action, a 
high-class c a r - 
riage horse has 
been the product. 

At the present 
time more French 
Coach horses are 

being imported than any other of the coach breeds, with 
the possible exception of the Hackney. The following 
are among the leading breeders or importers : Dunham 
Brothers, Wayne, Illinois ; Taylor and Jones, Williams- 
ville, Illinois; Robert Burgess & Son, Wenona, Illinois; 
McLaughlin Brothers, Columbus, Ohio ; and Singmaster 
& Brother, Keota, Iowa. 

Notable animals. — The following stallions are among 
the famous ones, each having 25 or more recorded produce 
in Volume I of the French Coach Stud Book of America : 
Perfection (993), by Bamjuls, and out of Charlotte, with 
163 recorded produce; Paladin (1968), by Perfection, 
and out of Modestine, with 64 recorded produce; 




Fig. 85.— French Coach Stallion "Chaudernagor" 



148 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Pepino (1413), by Perfection, and out of Tempest, 
with 2y recorded produce; Vengeur (2525), by Ja- 
gellon, and out of Bettina, with 29 recorded produce ; 
and Regent, by Leverant, and out of Norma, with 26 
recorded produce. The following mares are among the 
more famous, and each have ten or more recorded produce 
in Volume I : Hirondelle (166), by Niger, and Paquerette 
(169), by Omega, each with 14 recorded produce ; Gazelle 
(409), by Oriental, Godabal (626), by Seneschal, and Verta 
(19), by Tamar, each with 11 recorded produce; and 
Eclatante (1006), by Courtesan, Genevieve II (361), by 
Stade, Goelette (165), by Rivoli, and Ordonnance (847), 
by Oronet, each with 10 recorded produce. 

Description of the French Coach horse. — This breed 
presents much variation in general conformation, and 
will be described as consisting of two types,- the coach 
type proper, which is the most common in America, and 
the trotting type, very popular in France. 

The Coach type. — This is the larger and smoother sort, 
the stallions averaging 16 hands high and the mares 1 5.2 
hands. The most acceptable weight for the stallion is 
about 1,350, with mares at 1,200 pounds. This type is 
rather upstanding, carrying the head and tail high. The 
animals are smooth and symmetrical, with very graceful 
movements, having fairly high and bold knee and hock 
action. The head is intelligent and of medium size ; the 
neck is graceful and of good length; the shoulders are 
long and sloping; the body is well rounded and snugly 
ribbed with well-muscled loin, giving a short, strong 
back; the croup is full and of medium length; and the 
quarters long and powerfully muscled. The knees and 
hocks are strong and clean; the cannons short, with 
tendons well detached, with pasterns moderately sloping 
and feet dense and elastic. In general appearance, there 
is an airiness and gracefulness about the French Coach 
that is difficult to find in any other coacher, with the 



THE FRENCH COACH HORSE 



149 



possible exception of the Hackney. The common colors 
are bay, black, brown and chestnut. 

The trotting type. — This is the smaller and perhaps 
more rangy sort ; for, as might be expected, it is somewhat 
like the Norfolk trotter in general appearance, as the 
parentage is somewhat similar and the racing is con- 
ducted much as in Norfolk, largely under the saddle 
and carrying not less 
than 120 pounds. In 
this type stamina 
and substance as 
well as speed are re- 
quired, since the 
races are for long 
distances over turf, 
which demands 
strong, bold going 
and powerful action. 

Speed records and 
race tracks. — For 
many years racing 
under the saddle has 
been very popular 

among the French Coach breeders of France. In 1873 Niger 
trotted 2^ miles in 6.55 ; in 1875 Zethus trotted 12^ miles in 
37.21, while Caen trotted the same distance in 37.19; and in 
1877 the mare Zacinthe trotted 18% miles on an ordinary 
road in 59 minutes. Up to 1877 the fastest record was by 
Pactole, who trotted 2>^ miles in 6.38. In 1891, there 
were 1,399 contestants in races, 312 of which trotted races 
from 2 to 3^ miles in less than three minutes per mile, 
137 under 2.50, 112 under 2.45 and 62 under 2.40. Of the 
312, there were loi three-year-olds. The average dis- 
tance was 2%6 miles; the average time per mile, 2.50; 
the fastest time for the three-year-olds, distance 2^-^ 
miles, 6.33; and the fastest time for the five to seven- 
year-olds, distance 2>yk miles, was eight minutes. 




Fig. 86. — French Coach Stallion "Fadiavolo' 



150 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The French track is from two to three miles long, and 
is of turf. These sod tracks promote high knee action 
and long strides, as well as strong, well-flexed hock 
action, and in addition increase the stamina and endur- 
ance. 

Uses of the French Coach horse. — In America, this 
breed is prominent for heavy-harness driving, while in 
France it is also used for saddle purposes, for racing and 
for the cavalry. In this country the French Coach 
stallions are often crossed on common mares for the 
production of a grade coach horse for general city pur- 
poses. When the mares were of the proper conformation 
and possessed sufficient quality success has usually fol- 
lowed such efforts. These grades possess much style 
and action, and in addition are of sufficient weight to 
command a high price on the market. 

Distribution of the French Coach horse. — This breed 
is perhaps as widespread as the Hackney, but has not 
been bred systematically on a large scale except in 
France. Large numbers have been imported to America 
and are scattered throughout the North Atlantic and 
Central states, where they are in demand for general 
utility. 

Organizations and records. — As previously stated, the 
French Coach Stud Book was established and the French 
Jockey Club organized in 1833 by a royal decree. This 
organized effort has been responsible for much of the 
development of the breed in France. In America the 
French Coach is represented by two societies, the French 
Coach Horse Society of America, organized in 1888, and 
with headquarters at Oak Park, Illinois, and the French 
Coach Horse Registry Company, organized in 1904, with 
headquarters at Columbus, Ohio. Each society has es- 
tablished a stud book and published at least one volume. 



CHAPTER XIII 
THE GERMAN COACH HORSE 

In America we are accustomed to considering all horses 
imported from Germany as German Coach horses ; 
whereas, Germany has several distinct breeds of horses 
varying greatly in size and conformation. This has led 
to much confusion as to the correct form of a German 
Coach horse. 

The native home of the German Coach horse. — This 
breed was developed in northwestern Germany, particu- 
larly in the fertile lowlands drained by the Elbe, Weser 
and Ems rivers, a district in which the conditions are 
very favorable to the development of the horse. It was 
in this section that the great draft horse of Europe was 
originally found. The states that contributed to the 
development of the German Coach horse are Hanover, 
Oldenburg, Schleswig-Holstein and East Friesland. 

The origin of the German Coach horse. — The German 
Empire is composed of numerous states and principalities. 
Owing to the number of separate governments involved 
prior to the consolidation of the Empire, there was no 
single fixed policy followed, for which reason there are 
many marked differences between the various strains of 
horses found in Germany. The multiplicity of states 
likewise renders it difficult to reach very accurate con- 
clusions regarding the early history of most of the strains, 
but there is no doubt that in point of antiquity these 
horses rank with any of the other coach breeds. 

The German Coach horse owes its origin to horses im- 
ported from the Orient, and other countries, which were 
crossed on the native mares of Germany. As early as 
1552 Count Johanna imported horses from Turkey and 
southern Europe to Oldenburg, and took an active in- 

151 



152 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



terest in horse breeding. This eastern blood has been 
fused with the horses of Oldenburg for over three and 
one-half centuries. It is stated that a half century pre- 
vious to this, annual fairs v^ere held in Friesland, near 
the border of Holland, v^hich attracted much attention 
by their horse shows and, no doubt, resulted in many 
importations, as these events were attended by horse 











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FIG. 87.— GERMAN COACH STALLION "NERO' 



merchants from Holland, Belgium and Germany. A 
catalog of Prince Geo. Albrichts' stud, published in 1708, 
showed importations from Turkey, Poland, Hungary, 
Denmark, England and other countries. From this it 
would seem that the German Coach horse was of mixed 
ancestry. It does not appear, however, that the Ger- 
mans made extended use of the English Thoroughbred in 
the evolution of their horse, although trace of the blood 
is plainly discernible. 



THE GERMAN COACH HORSE 1 53 

German methods for improving the horse. — For cen- 
turies the governments of many of the principalities have 
promoted horse breeding. Early in the seventeenth cen- 
tury a government stud was established at Ilo which pos- 
sessed 182 horses in 1648 ; from 1628 to 1648 the stables 
of Count Ulrich II contained many famous stallions ; 
and in 1658 Count Enno Ludwig sent Emperor Leopold 
a number of horses described as very beautiful and of 
great value. Early in the eighteenth century a govern- 
ment stud was in operation at Harlingerland, in East 
Friesland, and a report dated 1712 refers to 16 stallions 
that served 819 mares. 

Government supervision of horse breeding. — Formerly 
a few of the principalities, notably East Friesland, held 
very close supervision of horse breeding, which was 
regulated by royal edicts. Later more liberality was 
permitted, but it was made a law that no permits should 
be issued authorizing the public use of stallions, unless 
they passed a satisfactory government inspection. At 
present the government and the agricultural societies are 
encouraging horse breeding by awarding prizes to 
animals of special merit, such animals to remain in the 
country for a specified time. A commendable feature of 
the system is that first prizes are given only to mature 
stallions and mares that have shown merit as breeders. 
Large horse shows are held at Aurich, East Friesland, 
where the horses are brought each year for government 
inspection and approval. Horse breeding in Germany 
is greatly influenced by military requirements which has 
a bearing upon the type approved. This is so great a 
controlling factor that few of the powerful and compactly 
built type can be found. 

TYPES AND BREEDS OF GERMAN HORSES 

As previously stated, owing to the conditions prevail- 
ing in Germany, many types of German horses have been 



154 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



developed. Perhaps the most noted of these are the 
East Prussian or Trakehnen horse, Hanoverian horse, 
Holstein horse, Oldenburg horse, East Friesland horse, 
and the Schleswig horse. 

The East Prussian or Trakehnen horse. — East Prussia 
has more horses to the square mile, omitting towns of 
over 10,000 inhabitants, than any other part of Germany. 




FIG. 



.—GERMAN COACH STALLION "LANDGRAF' 



It supplies annually from 4,000 to 5,000 remounts to the 
Prussian army. The most important horse breeding cen- 
ter in East Prussia is the stud of Trakehnen, founded in 
1732 by Frederick William I, King of Prussia, and father 
of Frederick the Great. He established this stud with 
1,101 horses from the royal studs. There were many 
importations from the East and a few English Thorough- 
breds added to the stud from time to time. The East 



THE GERMAN COACH HORSE I55 

Prussian horse is described as having a good disposition, 
great endurance, a fine head, well-formed neck and a 
strong, well-ribbed back and loin. Count Wrangel states 
that the depth and slope of the shoulder are not satis- 
factory, legs rather too long, body too light for height, 
and that there is a lack of elegant action, though this is 
denied by Major Schoenbeck, who states that the action 
is usually good, and any faults in this respect can gen- 
erally be cured by careful training. 

The Hanoverian horse. — Through the influence of the 
English Hanoverian kings, many English Thoroughbreds 
were sent to Hanover between the years 1714 and 1837, 
where, owing to the fertile pasture lands and favorable 
conditions, the type of horse that resulted contains more 
substance than the East Prussian horse. The Hanover- 
ian horse is used more for draft than for saddle purposes, 
although they have strong legs and a good back on which 
they can carry a load sufficiently heavy to make them 
serviceable military horses. The horses are bred by 
farmers who work the brood mares on their farms. 

The Holstein horse. — For many centuries Holstein has 
been noted for its good horses. The splendid pasture 
lands of Kremper, which is in the district of Steinberg, 
on the banks of the Elbe, are particularly well known for 
their good horses. In size, these horses are about equal 
to the Hanoverian; they are powerful, with good legs 
and free action, are suitable for both riding and driving, 
and are in great demand. It is doubtful, however, 
whether the Holstein horse is as enduring as the East 
Prussian horse. 

The Oldenburg horse. — This is perhaps the parent of 
the German Coach horse, and, as we have seen, owes 
its origin to Oriental and other imported blood. The 
Oldenburg horse averages 15.3 to 16.2 hands high and 
1,200 to 1,400 pounds in weight, and is used for heavy 
coach work, but seldom as a saddler. Some writers state 
that the horses of this type are not of the best quality, but 



IS6 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



stand high in public favor because of their great size, 
some being 17 hands high and broad in proportion. They 
have good dispositions and mature at an early age. 

The East Friesland horse. — During the middle ages 
East Friesland bred a strong and heavy v^ar horse, which 
gradually changed into a stately coach horse. The East 
Friesland horse is about the size of the Oldenburg horse 




FIG. 89.— GERMAN COACH MARE "POPE" 

and has been developed under similar conditions. In a 
description of this type the East Friesland Stud Book 
states that the object of the breed is to produce a strong, 
noble and docile carriage horse which will develop 
quickly, and can be put to light agricultural work in its 
third year, in order to refund a part of its cost of rearing. 
The Schleswig horse. — Though the character of the soil 
is variable in Schleswig the pastures are luxuriant and 
the conditions favorable for the production of horses 
which, in the middle ages, were able to carry knights in 



THE GERMAN COACH HORSE 157 

heavy armor and to do all kinds of pack and draft work. 
While many kings and dukes established studs in Schles- 
wig the one which remained the longest in existence was 
founded by Friedrich III in 1648. It is stated that 
present-day animals can be traced to his stud. In 1891 
the Registered Union of Schleswig Horse Breeding So- 
cieties was formed with the stated object of "supplying 
a strong work horse that can fulfill agricultural, commer- 
cial and military requirements/* 

The German Coach horse in America. — It is only re- 
cently that the German Coach horse made his appear- 
ance in America, the first importations occurring in the 
eighties. About the year 1890 the breed began to gain 
recognition at our fairs and horse shows. Among the 
early importers may be mentioned A. B. Holbert of 
Greeley, Iowa, who was perhaps the first to introduce the 
breed; the Altmans, Watseka, Illinois, and J. Crouch & 
Son, Lafayette, Indiana. Perhaps by far the more im- 
portant of the early animals imported was Moltke, who 
is credited with 51 recorded produce in Volume II of 
the German, Hanoverian, Oldenburg Coach Horse Stud 
Book, Other imported stallions of note are Kaiser Wil- 
helm (494) Young Altona I (458), and Young Adonis 
(476), as well as Bertus, Ento and Hannibal, the last four 
having distinguished show careers. In a study of the 
animals recorded in Volume II of the stud book it was 
found that Moltke leads as a sire, while others in order 
are : Ruthard with 48 recorded produce, Whittlesbacher 
with 35, Friebeuter with 31, and Elegant with 26 re- 
corded produce. 

The German government voted a large sum of money 
to make a display of German Coach horses at the Chicago 
World's Fair in 1893, and sent over a fine exhibit of 
stallions and mares. The provinces of Oldenburg, East 
Friesland and Hanover repeated this enterprise at the 
St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. 



158 . MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Description of the German Coach horse. — While there 
is considerable variation among German Coach horses in 
America, as in Germany, the height ranges from 16 to 16.2 
hands and the weight from 1,350 to 1,450 pounds. The 
prevailing colors are bay, black and brown. The head 
is of medium size, full and well carried, the neck long 
and arched, the shoulders moderately sloping and the 




FIG. 90.— GERMAN COACH MARE "FUNGE" 

withers prominent. Compared with the French Coach, 
the body of the German Coach is larger and longer, 
though the back and loins are powerfully muscled, the 
croup high and the tail well placed. Compared with the 
Hackney, the legs show considerable more length, al- 
though well muscled and clean, while the feet are ex- 
cellent. The action varies with the size and quality of 
the horse. Where there is not too much weight and suf- 
ficient quality the action is excellent, but as the weight 



THE GERMAN COACH HORSE 1 59 

increases and the quality decreases it is the rule for the 
action to decrease also. 

Use of the German Coach horse. — In the German Em- 
pire this is the horse-of-all-work. At home this breed is 
called on to do saddle work, the light as well as the heavy 
carriage work, and the draft work. In America the Ger- 
man Coach horse differs from other coach horses in at 
least two respects : First, there has never been any at- 
tempt to breed or train them to speed at the trot, and, 
second, some strains are decidedly heavier than the other 
coach horses and for this reason are not so active, though 
the lighter types make fair heavy-harness horses. In this 
country the German Coach horse has been used to some 
extent in crossing" on common mares, but with varying 
success, and for this reason the breed is not so popular 
in cross-breeding as either the Hackney or the French 
Coach. 

Distribution of the German Coach horse. — This breed 
is found in many countries throughout Europe, Eastern 
Asia, South Africa and both North and South America. 
In Canada, it is perhaps most popular in the Northwest. 
In the United States it is most popular in the Central 
States, particularly in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, but is 
found in many parts of the country. 

Organizations and records. — In Germany the breeders of 
each of the more important types, notably the East Prus- 
sian, Hanoverian, Holstein, Oldenburg, East Friesland 
and Schleswig, have organized associations and estab- 
lished stud books with a view of promoting the various 
types or breeds as they are known in Germany. The 
German, Hanoverian and Oldenburg Coach Horse Asso- 
ciation of America was organized in Illinois in 1892 and 
a stud book established. Later the Oldenburg Coach 
Horse Association was organized, also in Illinois, and a 
stud book started. In this country there is much con- 
fusion in the public mind as to the various types of Ger- 
man Coach horses, due, perhaps, to the consolidation of 



l60 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

names and types in the German, Hanoverian and Olden- 
burg stud book. It would seem that the advocates o£ 
the breed would do well to clarify, in some permanent 
way, this apparent confusion. 

Criticisms of the German Coach Horse. — In conforma- 
tion this breed is exceedingly variable, the East Prussian 
horse being of the lighter type, while the Schleswig horse, 
because of the luxuriant pastures in Schleswig, contains 
greater substance and is of a more massive type. Among 
German horses coarseness is not uncommon, as seen in 
the large heads, the large rough joints, and the coarse 
heavy bone. From a coach horse point of view the action 
is frequently deficient. This contrast in symmetry, uni- 
formity and stylish action can be clearly brought out by 
comparing the German coach horse with the Hackney, in 
which there is general harmony and frictionless move- 
ment. 



CHAPTER XIV 
THE CLEVELAND BAY COACH HORSE 

Although the oldest of the large-sized coach horses, 
the Cleveland Bay has not met with so popular a favor 
in America as some other breeds of coach horses, par- 
ticularly the blockier, more symmetrical and more stylish 
sorts. In England the breed has been more successful. 

The native home of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — 
This breed was developed in northeastern England, in the 
counties of Durham, Northumberland and more especially 
Yorkshire. It is in Yorkshire, among the Cleveland hills 
in the North and East Riding, that this breed is found in 
its greatest purity. The conditions were eminently suitable 
for the production of superior light horses. The people 
were horsemen, and the fertile valleys and hills, underlaid 
in the best grazing districts with limestone, were very 
productive of nutritious grasses. 

The origin of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — There 
is no authentic data regarding the origin of this breed, and 
the first records of the Cleveland horse connect him with 
being a pack or Chapman horse. Many theories have 
been advanced as to the probable origin, of which four 
are worthy of mention. First, it is asserted that the 
breed is a descendant of the "Old War Horse," improved 
by crossing with Oriental and English stock; second, 
that it has been gradually developed from the horse of 
southern England ; the adherents state this is supported 
by the fact that a similar breed formerly existed in 
Devon, in the south of England ; third, that it is a descendant 
of the old Scandinavian horse, improved by careful breed- 
ing tmder the different climatic conditions of England, 
and this claim, it is stated, is supported by the black 
points in the Cleveland horse ; and, fourth, it is asserted 

X61 



1 62 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



that the breed owes its origin to the use of Thorough- 
breds on English cart-horse mares, though this theory is 
denied by the Cleveland Bay authorities who wish to 
show a pure ancestry. 

Notwithstanding this objection, it is probable that a 
gradual use of horses of lighter breeding on heavy mares 
of the larger English breeds has finally resulted in the 
formation of the Cleveland coach horse. This is supported 

by the statement 
that of the three 
sires, Dark, Bar- 
ley Harvest and 
Hole Hill Horse, 
which had most 
to do in estab- 
1 i s h i n g the 
Cleveland Bay, 
Dark traces in 
direct line to 
Darley Arabian. 
It is probable, 
however, that 
the old Cleve- 
land Bay, the 
horse that was so popular in early days, had very lit- 
tle, if any. Thoroughbred blood in him considering the 
amount that has been used later. 

The decline of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — At the 
opening of the nineteenth century the Cleveland Bay was 
in great demand for heavy coach work, particularly 
matched teams for the London market. This stimulated 
breeding, which was carried on with system and success 
during the first quarter of the century. Following this 
came economic changes which influenced the type of 
horse demanded. Chief of these economic changes were 
the increased activity in agriculture and the development 
of the coal industry, which created a very strong demand 




Fig. 91. — Cleveland Bay Stallion "Beodloin Fred 



THE CLEVELAND BAY COACH HORSE 1 63 

for heavier horses ; and the improving of the public roads, 
resulting in the use of lighter vehicles, thus calling for 
lighter horses for road w^ork, all of w^hich operated to 
reduce the demand for a heavy coach horse. It w^as more 
profitable, therefore, to breed the heavy draft horse for 
draft and the lighter and more active horse for the road 
and so the Cleveland Bay fell into disfavor and was 
neglected. 

After some years the breed began to adapt itself to 
condition, and from 1851 to 1867 it was in considerable 
favor, when there came a second decline in its popularity. 
Perhaps the development of the railroads was respon- 
sible for this decline. When the outlook seemed darkest, 
the American trade opened up, and in 1884 the Cleveland 
Bay Horse Society was organized and a stud book estab- 
lished, the object being to promote the purity of the breed 
and to put it in proper relation to the public. This did 
not stimulate the anticipated interest, for in 1885, at the 
show of the Royal Agricultural Society, held in the 
County of York, the stronghold of the breed, but one 
entry of a Cleveland Bay was made, and that was a mare 
in foal. During the last decade of the nineteenth, and the 
first decade of the twentieth century, the breeding of 
Cleveland Bays has attracted some attention, as is shown 
by the show of the Royal Society in 1900, again held in 
York, when 41 entries were made. Since then a number 
of creditable exhibits have been made in various English 
shows. 

The Yorkshire Coach horse. — Because of its relationship 
to the Cleveland Bay the Yorkshire Coach is mentioned 
here. In England there is a Yorkshire Coach Horse So- 
ciety in addition to a Cleveland Bay Horse Society, and 
each has established a stud book, so that the horses are 
registered separately and the two breeds are distinct. In 
America, however, the Yorkshire Coach horse and the 
Cleveland Bay horse are considered as one breed, and are 



164 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



registered in the Cleveland Bay Stud Book^by the Cleve- 
land Bay Society of America. 

The Yorkshire Coach horse is an offshoot of the Cleve- 
land Bay, but it has been recognized as a distinct variety 
for over a century in England. It is designated as an 
improved Cleveland, free use having been made of Thor- 
oughbred blood. As to the origin and characteristics of 
the Yorkshire' Coach horse, the Yorkshire Stud Book, 

published in 1887, 
states that it can- 
not be claimed for 
the Yorkshire 

Coach horse, that 
he is a pure-bred 
animal, but that on 
the contrary, by 
the judicious cross- 
ing of large-sized, 
good-colored mares 
with stallions, alto- 
gether or nearly 
Thoroughbred, a 
class of horses has 
been produced 
suited to the wants and circumstances of the times. 
By universal consent, the color should be bay or brown, 
with black eyes; mane and tail, abundant but not curly; 
the height, from 16 hands to 16 hands 2 inches, with fine 
head, sloping shoulders, strong loins, and lengthy quar- 
ters, high-stepping action, good sound feet, flat legs, and 
abundance of bone and muscle. 

From the early records it would seem that much was 
made of the speed, power and endurance of these horses, 
as Dreadnought, by Old Clothier, won a trotting match 
for £100, carrying 124 pounds 16 miles within 
an hour; Plato, the brother of Wonderful, the noted 
premium winner at the Ripon show in 1819, trotted 18 




Fig. 92. — Cleveland Bay Stallion 



THE CLEVELAND BAY COACH HORSE 165 

miles within the hour, carrying 144 pounds; and B. 
Pullen's King William trotted a mile in three minutes at 
Selby, carrying 112 pounds. 

The Cleveland Bay coach horse in America. — This 
breed has never been popular in America. In the early 
eighties Geo. E. Browai & Company of Aurora, Illinois, 
W. M. Fields & Bro. of Cedar Rapids, lov^a, Jesse Harris 
of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Stericker Bros, of Spring- 
field, Illinois, imported a number of unusually good repre- 
sentatives, but the type and breed characteristics never 
found favor. Formerly there w^as considerable interest 
taken in the shov^ ring, particularl}^ by the Sterickers, 
who made many attractive exhibits, but at present speci- 
mens of Cleveland Bays are almost unknown in our horse 
shows. Further, importations are rarely made, as there 
is not a single breeder prominently advocating the merits 
of the breed. 

Description of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — In the 
'first volume of the Cleveland Stud Book, which was pub- 
lished in 1884, there is the following description of the 
Cleveland Bay horse : ^'From 16 hands i inch to 16 hands 
2^ inches in height, he should be possessed of good, 
sloping shoulders, a short back, powerful loins, and long 
quarters. His head is rather plain than otherwise, and 
on the large size, but it is well carried, and his general 
appearance denotes activity and strength, combined in 
a manner not seen in any other breed. His action is not 
remarkably high, but it is the kind of action for getting 
over ground. In color he is bay — either light or dark — 
with black legs, clear of hair, and black zebra-like stripes 
on the arm and above the hock are sometimes seen. 
These are known as the 'black points,' and are supposed 
to denote special breeding. White, save a small star, or 
a few white hairs in the head, is not admissible, a blaze 
or a white foot proclaiming at once the admixture of 
foreign blood." 

The best specimens that have been imported to 



l66 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

this country weigh from 1,200 or 1,550 pounds. While 
the breed ranks among the largest of the coachers, 
it lacks somewhat the quality and action of the other 
coach breeds. In coach and carriage horses, high and 
attractive knee action with good hock action is essential. 
Such action must be combined with a smooth, stylish and 
symmetrical appearance, which in turn must be associated 
with quality in all the parts. Since the Cleveland Bay 
did not approach the excellence shown by other breeds 
in this respect, it failed to attract popular favor. 

The Yorkshire Coach horse is described as strongly 




FIG. 93.— CLEVELAND BAY GELDINGS 

resembling the Cleveland Bay in some respects, but is 
taller and shows more style and quality. The head is 
more refined and the crest more developed. The action 
is also freer, as well as higher. 

Uses of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — While this 
breed was formerly in very great demand for heavy- 
harness driving, it failed to keep pace with the times, 
and other breeds have succeeded it. Stallions of the 
breed have been used to some extent in crossing on the 
common mares, with varying success. They have one 
advantage in that there is uniformity in color and mark- 



THE CLEVELAND BAY COACH HORSE 



167 



ings, which they seem to be potent in transmitting, when 
crossed on common mares. Because of this their get is 
uniform and easily matched into teams. Cleveland Bay 
coach horses seem to have plenty of stamina and fair 
quality, which, in connection with their size and good 
disposition, adapt them to work on the farm better than 
the other breeds of light horses, but, for some reason, per- 
haps because of the deficient action, they have never met 
with favor in America. 

Distribution of the Cleveland Bay coach horse. — This 
breed seems to have enjoyed some popularity in South 




FIG. 94.— CLEVELAND BAY MARES AND COLTS 



Africa, to which country many are being exported at the 
present time. Aside from importations to North America, 
the Cleveland Bay has been taken to South America, 
Australia and Sweden. Those brought to America were 
distributed throughout the Central states and Canada. 

Organizations and records. — As previously stated, in 
England there is a society and stud book supporting each 
the Cleveland Bay coach and the Yorkshire Coach. In 
1885, the Cleveland Bay Society of America was organ- 



1 68 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

ized and a stud book established, of which two volumes 
have been published, the last dated 1891, thus showing 
the lack of interest in recent years. Both Cleveland Bay 
and Yorkshire Coach are recorded in the American Cleve- 
land Bay Stud Book. 

Criticisms of the Cleveland Bay. — As with the German 
Coach, this breed lacks the general symmetry of form 
and the stylish carriage so essential to coach horses in 
America. The Cleveland Bay is rather upstanding, with 
long legs, which are often deficient in quality. The head 
is often plain and often lacking in quality. The rear ribs 
are frequently deficient in length, giving the body a rangy 
appearance ; the action, one of the most important charac- 
teristics of a coach horse, is not stylish and lacks in ani- 
mation. 



CHAPTER XV 
THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 

Of the various breeds of pure-bred horses in America, 
the Percheron draft horse is the most popular. This breed 
secured a foothold in Ohio in the early fifties, from which 
place it has spread in all directions with amazing rapidity. 

The native home of the Percheron draft horse. — This 
breed was developed in northwestern France, especially 
in that section of the country known as La Perche, a 
district situated to the south and west of Paris, and em- 
bracing a considerable portion of the territory that is 
included in the modern departments or counties of Orne, 
Eure et Loir, Loir et Cher and Sarthe. La Perche is 
about 50 by 60 miles in area, with a rather broken surface, 
having numerous valleys and small streams of water. 
The soil is fertile, producing nutritious grasses, and the 
climate favorable for the production of horses of the 
highest excellence, while the inhabitants have long been 
noted for their attachment to the horse. All of north- 
western France, from Paris to the English channel, has 
from time immemorial been famous as a horse-produc- 
ing region. 

The origin of the Percheron draft horse. — The source 
of this breed is to be found in the large infusion of eastern 
blood upon the native stock of La Perche, a district 
already distinguished for the size and strength of its 
horses, as well as to the natural adaptation of the soil 
and climate and the habits of the people. In 1732 France 
was invaded by the Saracens, 300,000 strong, who were 
defeated by Charles Martel on the plains of Vonille. 
The Arab and Barb steeds upon which the infidels were 
mounted fell into the hands of the victors, and were 
assigned largely to the men of La Perche, Orleans and 

169 



170 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Normandy. Other large infusions of Eastern blood took 
place upon the return of the Crusaders, who brought with 
them many of the finest Arabian stallions. These horses, 
crossed upon the large, strong, native mares, imparted a 
degree of refinement and finish that has ever since char- 
acterized the horses of northern France. 

There were other countries besides Arabia, however, 
that contributed horses to La Perche, to aid in the de- 
velopment of the draft horse of France. Madame du 
Barry of Paris received a gift of a pair of Danish horses 
about 1775, which became so popular that they were fol- 
lowed by others of the same kind, with the result that 
Danish horses were used extensively in Normandy. 
English stock was also introduced, as were horses from 
Belgium and adjoining districts, particularly Flanders. 
In addition, reference is made to horses being introduced 
from Andalusia, Spain. 

Early development of the Percheron draft horse. — In 
1820, two famous Arabian stallions, Godolphin and Galli- 
poli, were imported and extensively used under the direc- 
tion of the government at the stud of Pin. These horses 
were gray and no doubt had much influence in develop- 
ing the gray color of the draft horses of France. Fur- 
ther, these two sires are given credit for much of the 
quality, style and finish possessed by the Percheron. Galli- 
poli, in particular, had a very beneficial influence, es- 
pecially through his grandson, Jean Le Blanc, born in 
1823, and regarded as the greatest sire of his day. 

The type of horse resulting from the use of eastern 
stallions upon the mares of La Perche was a smaller and 
more active animal than the Percheron of the present time, 
and was more suited to general purposes. This early type 
is described as showing much less scale and ranging from 
15 to 16 hands high with a draft conformation; the head 
of medium size and clean cut, frequently as fine as an 
Arab's; the neck rather short; the shoulders long and 
sloping with chest deep and broad ; the body well ribbed 



THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 



171 



^anH'back strong; the croup level and muscular; the 
quarters long and powerful ; the legs clean and free from 




FIG. 95.— PERCHERON STALLION "CALYPSO' 



coarse hairs; the joints strong; the feet good, though 
often flat; and the color generally gray. The horses of 



172 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

La Perche were referred to as the best draft horses in 
the world. 

The deterioration of the La Perche horsd. — About 1830 
the horses of La Perche were in very great demand be- 
cause of their well-known qualities. Since the district 
was small, and the number of horses that could be pro- 
duced was limited, the farmers began to sell the finest 
types of stallions and mares. So great was the foreign 
demand that the breeding stock was sold to such an extent 
as to require its replacement. Hence large numbers of 
mares similar to Percherons were introduced, first from 
Brittany and afterwards from Caux, Picardy, Boulogne 
and elsewhere. While the mares from Brittany were 
fairly well bred, those from the north lacked bone, sub- 
stance and quality. Again, with the improvement of the 
highways came a demand for heavier horses, and larger 
horses were introduced to meet the demand. Thus the 
quality as well as the style of the horses of La Perche 
was sacrificed for greater numbers and heavier weights, 
causing serious deterioration, and a very great diminution 
in the demand. This forced the breeders to a recognition 
of the value of superior quality. 

The improvement of the Percheron draft horse. — The 
breeders of La Perche and adjoining districts, ever on 
the alert to gain trade, realized their position and united 
in their efforts to regain their former position as horse 
breeders. The rapid regeneration of the Percheron was 
due to both public and private methods, the breeding 
stock being selected with discrimination. 

Government methods. — The French government exer- 
cises close supervision of stallions standing for public 
service. These stallions are divided into three classes : 
First, government stallions; second, approved and sub- 
sidized stallions, and, third, authorized stallions (p. 145). 

The fairs. — There are many horse shows held through- 
out France each year. These have much influence and 
stimulate the breeding of better stock. The Frenchmen 



THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 173 

being natural horsemen, take pride in preparing their 
horses for these shows. The more important shows are 
held under different conditions. A great central show 
is held at Paris each year. The annual Percheron show 
is held in a migratory way, coming back to the same place 
every 12 years. Each year the Percheron Society holds 
a show in the district of La Perche at either La Ferte, 
Mortagne or Nogent-le-Rotrou. While the success of 
these horse fairs and the rapid improvement in the breed 
were due to the united effort of all the breeders, large and 
small, yet a few of the more noted breeders are Perriot 
Brothers, M. Fardonet, Sr., M. Tacheau, and Louis 
Eveline. 

Endurance and speed of the Percheron. — It is interest- 
ing to note the speed and endurance of the Percheron of 
half a century ago, when he was used extensively in the 
mail and coach service. Trials were made also under 
the saddle and in light harness. These early tests 
demonstrate the endurance of the Percheron as well as 
his ability to trot fast while carrying or drawing a heavy 
load. 

The courses most frequented were those at Illiers, 
Courtalain, Montdoubleau and Mortagne, which are 
described as very crude, often consisting of plowed fields, 
which became hard in dry weather, but cut up like peat 
bog in wet times. In 1864 Julie trotted i}i miles, under 
the saddle, at Montdoubleau, in 3 minutes and 50 seconds ; 
in the same year Vaillante trotted 1% miles, at Mortagne, 
in 4 minutes and 38 seconds ;. while in 186 1 Cocatle trotted 
two miles at Illiers in 6 minutes 5^ seconds. In 1865 
Achille trotted two miles in harness at Illiers in 7 minutes 
and 17 seconds ; while in 185 1, Vigoreux trotted 2^ miles 
in 8 minutes and 30 seconds over the same course. It is 
stated that in 1854 a gray mare hitched to a traveling gig 
and belonging to Mr. Montrevil trotted 55^ miles on a 
hilly and difficult road in 4 hours and 24 minutes. 



174 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The Percheron draft horse in America. — The introduc- 
tion of French draft horses to America dates back as early 
as 1816 when a staUion was taken to Quebec. About 
1826 this horse was sold to James McNitt of Washington 
count}^ New York, and was known throughout that 



FIG. 96.— PERCHERON STALLION "KLAQUEUR" 

region under the various names of European, Norman 
and the McNitt Horse. His fame has been chiefly per- 
petuated through this son, the Morse Horse, sire of 
Alexander's Norman. In 1839 Edward Harris of Moores- 
town, New Jersey, made two importations, the first con- 
sisting of one stallion and two mares and the second of 
two stallions, Diligence and Bonaparte, and two mares. 
The first was unsuccessful, as the stallion died at sea, one 



THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 175 

of the mares landed in poor health, while the other in- 
jured herself by breaking through the floor of the car 
during shipment, which necessitated killing her. The 
second attempt was successful, as all four animals landed 
in good health. These were the smaller type of Per- 
cheron, standing about 15 hands high and weighing 1,200 
to 1,500 pounds. Diligence, who died in i860, was re- 
garded as a fine specimen, and left a marked impression 
upon the stock of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. 

Three famous imported Percheron sires. — It was not 
until about 1850 that the Percherons began to attract 
favorable attention in the United States. About this 
time there were three stallions imported that proved to 
be remarkable sires, namely, Louis Napoleon, Normandy 
and Success. 

Louis Napoleon. — In 185 1 Fullington and Martin of 
Milford Center, Union county, Ohio, imported a gray 
three-year-old colt under the name of Louis Napoleon. 
This horse is described as not of largest type, but short- 
legged, closely ribbed and compact, standing 15.2 hands 
high and weighing in full flesh about 1,600 pounds. At 
the time of his importation he was a dark iron-gray, but 
long before his death became perfectly white. He was 
much criticized at first because of his size, but his colts 
showed up so remarkable that he became very popular 
as a sire. In 1856 Louis Napoleon was purchased by 
A. P. Cushman of De Witt county, Illinois, and his 
popularity in the West became even greater than in Ohio. 
A large number of Louis Napoleon's colts were left entire, 
and it is estimated that over 400 of these were successful 
sires. 

Normandy. — In 185 1 Marcus Brown of Circleville, 
Pickaway county, Ohio, imported a three-year-old colt, 
which was subsequently registered in Volume I of the 
Percheron-Norman Stud Book as Normandy 351. This 
colt was not so large as Louis Napoleon, and is described 
as never weighing over 1,500 pounds, and was about 15.2 



176 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



hands high. He was kept for service near Circleville 
until 1856, when he was taken to Pleasant Valley, Madi- 
son county, Ohio, where he remained until his death in 
1872. He was known by various names, as Old Bill, the 
Valley Horse, and the French Horse. Normandy was a 
sure breeder, and did more than any other to increase the 
popularity of heavy horses in Central Ohio. 

Success. — In 1868 W. J. Edwards of Clifton, Iroquois 
county, Illinois, imported two stallions, Success and 
French Emperor, both of which were soon afterward 
sold to the Fletcher Horse Company. In 1874 M. W. 
Dunham purchased the company and Success, in whose 
hands the stallion proved the right to own his name, as 
he left a very marked impression on the heavy-horse 
stock of Illinois. Success is described as being about 
16 hands high and weighing about 1,600 pounds. It is 
also stated that his get were usually large, compactly 
built, clean limbed, and very stylish, whether from large 
or small mares. 

Other famous imported sires. — The following table con- 
tains a few of the more notable early imported sires, the 
date of birth, the date of importation, and the sire and 
dam: 



Name 


Date 

of 
birth 


Date 

of im- 
por- 
tation 


Sire 


Dam 


Vidocuq 483 
Brilliant 1271 
French Monarch 205 
Fenelon 2682 

La Ferte 5144 
Gilbert 5154 
Seducteur 8850 


1869 
1876 
1865 
1880 

1881 
1882 
1884 


1874 
1881 
1874 
1883 

1886 
1886 
1888 


Coco II (714) 
BriUiant (756) 
Ilderim (5302) 
Brilliant (755) 

Philibert (760) 
Brilliant (755) 
Fenelon (38) 


Dam bv Cheri 
Ragout, by Favori I (711) 
Dam, by Vieux Pierre (894) 
Ernestine, by Duke of Perche, 

(740) 
Juhe, by Brilliant (756) 
Sophie (7694) 
RosaUe, by BriUiant (756) 



Early importers. — There were a few other notable im- 
porters in the fifties which were followed by large num- 
bers in the sixties. In 185 1 Captain Samuel Holmes of 



THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 



177 



Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, brought two stallions from 
France, and during the same year two others were im- 
ported, one for J. J. Parker of West Chester and the other 
for Edward Shippen of Meadville. In 1856 Gordon and 
Martin of Woodstock, Ohio, imported a stallion subse- 
quently registered in Volume I of the stud book as Rollin 
418. Soon afterward this stallion was taken to Illinois, 
where he acquired a great local reputation. In 1866 

W. T. Walters of 

Baltimore, Mary- 
la n d, imported 
several stallions 
and mares. Wal- 
ters was the first 
person to estab- 
lish a breeding 
stud in America. 
He had lived in 
France, where he 
made a close 
study of horse 
breeding, and 
hence was able to 
buy to advantage. 

In 1870 M. W. Dunham, of Wayne, Illinois, and in 1874 W. 
Singmaster of Keota, Iowa, began breeding and importing, 
both of whom became famous Percheron authorities. In 
addition the Stubblefields of Bloomington, Ellis Dillon of 
Normal and Ezra Stetson of Neponset, Illinois, A. W. 
Cook of Charles City, Iowa, and the Fullingtons of Irwin 
Station, Ohio, were early breeders and importers. 

Notable American Percheron breeders. — While it is 
rather difficult to determine the leading breeders, because 
some persons have a few very famous animals while 
others have a large number of only fair animals, yet the 
following are among the more notable breeders of Per- 
cherons in the country at the present time : H. G. Mc- 




FiG. 97. — Percheron Stallion "My Lord' 



1/8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Millan & Sons, Rock Rapids, Iowa; A. L. Robinson & 
Son, Pekin, W. S. Corsa, White Hall, and Dunhams, 
Wayne, Illinois; C. M. Jones, Plain City, Ohio; and E. 
B. White, Leesburg, Virginia. 

During recent years some very fancy prices have been 
paid for Percheron stallions. In 1910 W. S. Corsa of 
White Hall paid $10,000 for Carnot (66666) ; in 1905 
AIcLaughlin Brothers of Columbus, Ohio, sold Rosen- 
berg, grand champion Percheron at the International 
Live Stock Exposition, for $8,000 ; and in 1903 the same 
firm sold Pour-Ouoi-Pas (27248) for $7,000 and Orangiste 
(29606) for $5,500. In addition to these some very good 
prices have been paid for Percheron geldings, especially 
when well matched and suita1)le for show purposes. In 
1905 the Pabst Brewing Company purchased a pair for 
$1,300. 

Famous show animals. — In recent years the exhibits of 
Percheron horses at the various fairs and horse shows 
have attracted favorable comment, and the following 
table gives a few of the more noted prize-winning 
stallions and mares at the International Live Stock Ex- 
position, Chicago : 



Stallions 


Mares 


Imprecation, by Pinsion 
Hautbois, bj- Pavissant 
Jureur, by Fier-a-Bras 
Helix, by Dynamo 
Intime, by Agricole 
Carnot, by Balleau 
Halicte, by Paulno 


Castille, by Telamaque 
Imprudente, by Volcan 
Jupilles, by Consent 
lolanthe, by Calypso 
Himere, by Etudiant 
Aueroita, by Aride 
Annette, by Calypso 



Description of the Percheron draft hprse. — The best 
type of Percheron calls for all the characteristics of a 
m.odel draft horse. The general appearance is massive, 
muscular and powerful. In weight, mature stallions 
average from 1,700 to 2,000 pounds and mares from 1,500 
to 1,800 pounds, though there are many exceptions, as 



THE PERCH ERON DRAFT HORSE 1 79 

stallions sometimes weigh as much as 2,300 pounds. In 
height the stallions range from 15.2 to 17 hands, and 
mares from 15.2 to 16.2 hands. The low-set and massive 
form is preferred to the upstanding one. In color there 
is much variation, gray being favored in France, while 
darker colors are preferred in this country. AH colors 
are found, with black and gray predominating. The 
action, especially at the walk, is of the very best for heavy 
horses. 

The head is often rather large and full, but neat and 
clean, the forehead broad, the face straight or slightly 
dished above the nose, and the jaw strong; the eyes full 
and prominent, and the ears refined and attractively set 
and well carried. The neck is short but graceful. It is 
smoothly blended with the body and cleanly attached to 
the head, with an abundance of mane and foretop. The 
head and neck are very attractive, suggestive of the 
Arabian. The shoulders are set at a medium inclination, 
neither too straight nor too sloping, thus giving a power- 
ful movement for draft. The chest is full and deep, the 
distance from the withers to the floor of the chest 
equaling that from the chest to the ground. The ribs 
are strongly arched and of great depth, giving a broad, 
deep body. 

The back is short, broad and well muscled, and 
the underline fairly long. The loin is broad and mus- 
cular. The croup is powerful, but often too sloping. 
The legs above the knees and hocks are powerfully 
muscled. While the joints and cannons are not so clean 
cut and dense as in the lighter horses, yet they are as 
clean and hard as in any of the heavier horses. The 
pasterns are not so long and sloping as in the lighter 
breeds, but are excellent for draft. The feet are large, 
with open heels and dense elastic hoofs. 

Uses of the Percheron draft horse. — As a draft horse, 
the pure-bred or high-grade Percheron has no superior 
either in America or France. The greatest usefulness of 



i8o 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



the pure-bred stallion lies in mating to the larger type of 
grade mares which furnish us our best draft teams. A 
large proportion of our draft teams contain Percheron 
blood, as this breed is used more extensively in grading 
up the draft horse than any other in the United States 
(p. 434). Good results are obtained by crossing the 
Percheron stallion on pure-bred draft mares of other 

breeds, as the 
Clyde and 
Shire. The re- 
sulting offspring 
is usually clean 
legged and 
readily fills the 
general market 
demand. The 
most prominent 
buyers of New 
York and Chica- 
go have testified 
in the highest 
terms to the de- 
mand for Per- 
cheron grades. 
Distribution of the Percheron draft horse. — Because of 
the general excellence of this breed it is very widespread, 
having been introduced to all countries interested in the 
development of heavy horses. By far the greater num- 
ber have been imported to America and they have found 
their way into almost every state in the Union and into 
Canada. The records show that between 185 1 and 1883 
nearly 4,000 Percherons were imported or bred in the 
United States, which were distributed as follows : Illi- 
nois, 1,834; Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, 577; Wiscon- 
sin, Iowa and Minnesota, 424; New York, Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey, 280; Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, 




Fig. 98. — Percheron Stallion "Negro" 



THE PERCHERON DRAFT HORSE 



l8l 



1 86. Of the 4,000 it is stated that 2,600 were imported 
during the last three years, 1881-3, while in 1884 more 
than 2,000 of all ages were brought to America. At the 
present time there is great activity in the Percheron 
breeding and importing industry, which seems to center 
about Illinois, Ohio and Iowa, with all states represented. 

Organizations and records. — In 1883 the Societe Hip- 
pique Percheronne of France was organized, and during 
the same year published 
its first stud book, which, 
since 1885, has accepted 
for entry only horses 
whose ancestors are reg- 
istered in the book. 

In America there have 
been many dissensions 
among the importers and 
breeders of French draft 
horses leading to the 
formation of several so- 
cieties and stud books. 
This dates back to 1876 
when the first steps were 
taken to found an Ameri- 
can stud book. As this was before the establish- 
ment of the French stud book many of the draft horses 
imported from France were called Norman, and it 
was decided to adopt that as the breed name. J. H. San- 
ders, the secretary of the association, added the word 
Percheron to the title, so that it read Percheron-Norman 
Horse Association. Later his action was approved, as 
many draft horses were imported from France under the 
name Percheron. Many breeders of French horses, how- 
ever, were in favor of the term Norman, and accordingly 
withdrew and organized the National Register of Nor- 
man Horses, which was later changed to the National 
Register of French Draft Horses (p. 186). When the 




Fig. 99. — Percheron Stallion "Jantier" 



l82 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Percheron Society of France was organized the word 
Norman was dropped from the American title, in order 
to correspond with the French Association. 

The Percheron Stud Book had reached the point of 
being recognized as the distinct representative of the 
Percheron breed, when internal dissension arose over the 
power vested in the secretary. The outcome was the 
organizing of three associations and the establishment 
of as many stud books. In 1902 the American Percheron 
Horse Breeders' and Importers' Association was organ- 
ized, but in 1905 the name was changed to the Percheron 
Society of Arrierica, with headquarters at Union Stock 
Yards, Chicago. In 1904 the Percheron Registry Com- 
pany was organized with headquarters at Columbus, 
Ohio, and in 1905, the American Breeders' and Importers' 
Percheron Registry was organized, with headquarters at 
Plainfield, Ohio. In 1904, after extended litigation, the 
American Percheron Horse Breeders' and Importers' As- 
sociation acquired the old stud book and all of the original 
records, and in 191 1, after the name had been changed to 
the Percheron Society of America, it acquired the Per- 
cheron Registry Company, so that at the present time 
the only important society promoting the breed is the 
Percheron Society of America, which publishes the Per- 
cheron Stud Book of America, of which 12 volumes have 
appeared, registering about 78,000 animals. 



CHAPTER XVI 
THE FRENCH DRAFT HORSE 

In France, a number of types and breeds of draft horses 
have been developed taking their names largely from the 
localities in which they originated. Here they are recog- 
nized as distinct breeds, but from time to time specimens 
of most of them have been imported to America as French 
Draft horses, which has led to some confusion in names, 
as there is no single French Draft breed in France. The 
matter has been still further complicated, in the United 
States, by the organization of a French Draft Horse So- 
ciety, which publishes a French Draft stud book in which 
all draft horses introduced from France may be recorded. 
The Percheron is, of course, the best-known P>ench draft 
horse in America, and by far the larger number of re- 
maining draft horses introduced to this country from 
France belongs to one of the following breeds : Boulon- 
nais, Bretons, Ardennais, Nivernais and Picardy, of which 
the first is the more important. 

Boulonnais draft horse. — This breed is a native of 
Boulogne, a district in northeastern France, adjoining 
Belgium, from which it derives its name. The Boulon- 
nais horses, without doubt, had their origin in much the 
same manner as the Percheron, although it is claimed by 
the French that there is no interchange between the 
horses of Boulogne and La Perche, and that the Boulon- 
nais has mainly been improved by selection and care. 
The breed has an excellent reputation in France, and is 
regarded as second only in importance to the Percheron. 
It is also growing in popularity in America. 

The Boulonnais resembles the Percheron in general 
characteristics, so much so that it is impossible in the 
best specimens to distinguish one from the other. They 

183 



184 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

are not so large as the Percherons and perhaps somewhat 
less refined, lacking the improvement in type of the 
Percheron. Many American breeders, however, favor the 
feet of the Boulonnais in preference to those of any of the 
other French breeds. It is stated that the feet are larger, 
more rounded and the pasterns have more slope than the 
Percherons. The colors are much the same as the Per- 
cheron, with perhaps a larger number of grays. 

Breton draft horse. — This breed is a native of Brittany, 
a prominent horse-breeding district, although the animals 










FIG. 100.— FRENCH DRAFT HORSE 



bred are rather of a miscellaneous type. The early origin 
was much the same as the Percheron, and it is suggested 
that British horses were introduced into Brittany, which 
possibly accounts for the more luxuriant growth of hail 
about the legs of the Bretons. In recent years many 
Percheron stallions have been taken into the district in an 
effort to improve the breed in size and general characters. 
The Breton draft horse has much the same general 
character as the old-style Percherons, but is smaller and 



THE FRENCH DRAFT HORSE 185 

more refined. He has an intelligent head, a clean-cut 
neck of medium length, a round, well-muscled body with 
a short back. As a rule, the croup and rump is longer 
and straighter than in the other French breeds. The legs 
show more quality, though not so free from long hair as 
the Percheron, while the feet are larger and more rounded 
than the Boulonnais. The color is usually gray, although 
there are exceptions, as in the Boulonnais. 

Ardennais draft horse. — This breed is a native of Ar- 
dennais, a district adjoining the Belgian frontier in north- 
eastern France. The early origin was much the same as 
the Percheron, though, no doubt, Belgian blood was used 
to a more or less extent, which is suggested by the resem- 
blance between the Ardennais draft horse and the Belgian 
draft horse, though the latter possesses more substance. 

In general appearance the Ardennais is more massive 
and blocky than the Percheron, although not so large. 
The head is large and strong, with small, clean eyes and 
small ears ; the neck is short and thick, and the shoulders 
are rather straight and heavily muscled. The body is 
short, but thick and deep ; the loins powerfully muscled, 
with the croup and quarters broad aud heavily muscled. 
The legs are short and well muscled, of fairly good qual- 
ity, although the feet are often rather high and narrow. 
In color the Ardennais draft horse is more frequently roan 
and chestnut, although bay and brown are sometimes 
found. Gray, the common color among other French 
draft horses, is seldom found. 

Nivernais draft horse. — This breed is a native of the 
department of Nivernais or Nievre in central France. 
The origin of the Nivernais draft horse is to be found in 
the large black horse, native to the low fertile valleys of 
France, from which it obtains its size and color. It is 
only within the last few years that its interests have been 
looked after and choice specimens of the breed are not 
very numerous. It is stated that the transformation in 
size and color of the Percheron horse in the past few 



i86 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



years has been brought about, to some extent at least, 
by the use of the best types of Nivernais draft stallions 
crossed on the mares of La Perche. 

The Nivernais draft horse compares favorably v^ith the 
Percheron in size, possessing more bone, and perhaps a 
little more rangy in general conformation. The head is 
large and full ; the neck of good length and heavy ; the 
shoulders massive ; the body of good length and w^ell 

coupled; the hind- 
quarters powerfully 
muscled; and the 
])one strong, giving 
the legs a rather 
round appearance. 
The pasterns are 
fairly straight and 
the feet large. The 
color is almost uni- 
formly black, and it 
is very seldom that a 
o-ray, brown or 
chestnut is found. 

P i c a r d y draft 
horse. — This breed 
is a native of northern France and Belgium. It is bred in 
both countries, and is variously classified. Some persons 
claim it to be Flemish, and hence a Belgian breed, while 
M. La Motte Rouge of the government studs of France, 
claims it to be a variety of Boulonnais draft horse. The 
Picardy draft horse compares favorably with the Belgian 
draft horse in size and general conformation, being blocky 
and compact. The color is usually bay, although others 
are often found. 

Organizations and records. — In France each of the 
types and breeds mentioned above, with the possible ex- 
ception of Picardy, has its own society, which publishes 
a stud book. In America, however, all French draft horses 




Fig. 101. — French Draft Stallion 



THE FRENCH DRAFT HORSE 187 

are recorded by the National French Draft Horse Asso- 
ciation in the National French Draft Horse Stud Book. 
This association was formed in 1876 as the National 
Norman Horse Association, but the name was changed 
in 1885, as there was no such breed of horses in France 
as Normans, notwithstanding the current use of the term 
in America. This association has published nine volumes 
of the stud book. 

Criticisms of the French draft horse. — Because of the 
several types involved this breed is exceedingly variable in 
conformation, weight and height. The Boulonnais horse 
resembles the Percheron, while the Ardennais horse is 
more like the Belgian. The former is often criticized for 
its light bone and weak joints, particularly the hocks, 
while the latter also lacks quality in the lower legs and 
feet, which is often aggravated by straight pasterns and 
low flat heels, which frequently predispose the parts to 
disease. The tendons are not well detached and the bones 
of the legs appear round. Further, the hocks do not show 
as great depth and strength as desirable. 



CHAPTER XVII 
THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE 

Because of the influence of the English-speaking people 
the Clydesdale draft horse is the most widely distributed 
of the breeds of draft horses. Notwithstanding this, in 
America, the breed has not met with the popularity of 
the Percheron and possibly of the Belgian. 

The native home of the Clydesdale draft horse. — This 
breed was developed in southern Scotland, particularly 
in the county of Lanark, which has long been famous 
for a breed of powerful draft horses. The character of 
the soil and the habits of the people were important 
factors in the development of size and strength among 
the native horses. The breed takes its name from the 
river Clyde which flows through southern Scotland. 

The origin of the Clydesdale draft horse. — There is no 
authentic data regarding the early origin of this breed. 
It is stated that there was more or less interchange of 
draft horse blood between Scotland and England. After 
the union of the crowns of England and Scotland in 1603 
important trade relations sprang up between the two 
countries, and Scotch cattle dealers driving herds into 
England returned with English mares, which were bred 
to stallions in Scotland. Like most other breeds of 
horses, the Clydesdale is the result of the successful union 
of selected individuals from various other breeds, none 
of which possessed the good qualities in the same degree 
of efficiency as are now common among well-bred Clydes- 
dales. 

The credit for establishing the Clydesdale breed is now 
generally given to John Paterson, a tenant farmer of 
Lochlyoch, in Carmichael parish, in the county of Lanark, 
Between 1715 and 1720 he imported from England a black 

188 



THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE 



189 



Flemish stallion, which is said to have so greatly im- 
proved the breed in the Upper Ward as to have made it 
noted all over Scotland. This horse is often referred to 
as ''Lochlyoch's Black Horse/' v^hile his get are spoken 
of as the most noted breed in the Upper Ward of Lanark- 
shire during the eighteenth century and described thus : 
Generally browns and blacks, with white faces and a 
little white on the legs ; they had gray hairs in their tails, 
along with occasionally gray hairs on their bodies and 
usually a white spot on their belly, this latter being re- 
garded as a mark of distinct purity of blood. 

Early develop- 
ment of the 
Clydesdale draft 
horse. — For more 
than half a cen- 
tury following the 
introduction o f 
"L oc h 1 y o c h 's 
Black Horse," lit- 
tle is recorded of 
the development 
of the Clydesdale. 
About the year 
1780, Scott of 
Brownhill, Car- 
stairs, imported a 

two-year-old colt from Ayrshire known as Blaze, because 
of a white mark in his face. This horse is described as 
standing 16. i hands high, black in color and a noted prize 
winner. Nothing is known of his pedigree, but from his 
stylish shape and fine action — qualities, he is said to have 
transmitted — it is generally supposed that he possessed 
coach blood. 

In 1808, a man named Somerville of Lampits Farm, pur- 
chased a two-year-old filly, with which he founded a stud. 
This filly was mother of dancer (335), also known as 




Fig. 102. — Clydesdale Stallion "Silver Cup' 



190 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Thompson's Black Horse, born about 1810. This horse 
proved a great sire and, it is stated, from him all the best 
and most noted horses of the present day are descended. 
Little is known of the breeding of this horse, but it is 
thought that he was related to Lochlyoch's Black Horse. 
Glancer was black in color, save both hind legs, which 
wxre white. He had a strong, neat body set on short, 
thick legs, the clean, sharp bones which were 
fringed with nice flowing silken hair. He served for 
many years in the valley of the Clyde, between Glasgow 
and Lanark, and left a strong impression on the horse 
stock. 

The breeding of good Clydesdales was given consider- 
able impetus by the Highland Society, which very early 
began to hold open shows and offer premiums for horses. 
The prizes were divided so as to promote the breeding of 
both coach and draft horses. The breeders of Lanark- 
shire, particularly those of the Upper Ward, took much 
interest in these events and competition was very keen, 
which resulted in marked improvement of the horse stock. 

Famous 
Clydesdale sires. 
— Among the 
many notable 
stallions that 
have served a 
very important 
part in perfecting 
the Clydesdale 
draft horse are 
B 1 o o m fi e 1 d 
Champion (95) ; 
Clyde alias 
Glancer (153); 

1 lu. i03.— Clydesdale Stallion "Caliph" PrinCC of v\ alcS 

(673) ; Darnley 
(222) ; and Baron's Pride (9122.) 




THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE I9I 

Bloonificld Clianipion (95). — This horse was a great 
grandson. of Glancer (335), and was born about 1831. 
He was described as being a rich dark brown with forelegs 
black, hind pasterns white, and a narrow white streak 
on the face. Bloomfield Champion proved a great sire, 
and is sometimes referred to as ''Aberdeen Champion,'' 
because he gained first prize at the Highland and Agri- 
cultural Society's Show at Aberdeen in 1834. He sired 
Glancer (153), Glancer (338), Bowman's Colt (1078), 
and a number of noted brood mares, many of which were 
noted show animals. 

Clyde alias Glancer (153).. — This horse was sired by 
Bloomfield Champion, and was born about 1835. He was 
described as dark brown in color, powerfully built, and 
having been ruptured, was known as "The Ruptured 
Horse." He was a remarkable sire, as shown by the 
seven sons and one daughter registered in Volume I of 
the Scotch Clydesdale Stud Book. Many of these sons 
proved themselves sires of merit and great show 
animals. From 1844 to 1850 all of the important prizes 
at the Scotch horse shows went to the produce of 
Clyde. 

Prince of Wales (673). — This horse was sired by Gen- 
eral (322), by Sir Walter Scott (797), a great show horse 
and breeder, while his dam was Darling, by Logan's Twin 
(741). He was described as being dark brown in color 
with a white stripe on his face and more or less white on 
three legs. He possessed a slightly Roman nose and 
perhaps somewhat straight hocks, although he had good 
action. Prince of Wales was not only a great show horse, 
but one of the greatest breeders of sires the Clydesdale 
breed has produced, being credited with more offspring 
in Volume I of the Scotch Clydesdale Stud Book than 
any other sire. W^hen 18 years old he was sold for an 
equivalent of $4,725 at the Merryton sale. 

Darnley (222). — This horse was sired by Conqueror 
(199), and out of Keir Peggy (187), by Sampson (741). 



192 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Keir Peggy, the dam of ten foals and with a great show- 
yard career, is regarded as one of the greatest brood mares 
of the breed. Darnley was born in 1872, and purchased 
as a three-year-old by David Riddell, the owner of Prince 
of Wales. Darnley was successful in the show ring and 
famous as a sire. While Prince of Wales was a great sire 
of sires, Darnley was noted as a sire of dams, and both 
did much to improve the Clydesdale breed. Darnley's 
most famous sons were MacGregor (1487), Flashwood 
(3604), and Top Gallant (1850). MacGregor's sons did 
much to improve the Clydesdales of the United States 
and Canada. 

Barons Pride (9122). — This horse was sired by Sir 
Everard (5353), by Top Gallant (1850), and out of Forest 
Mollie (4740), by Pretender (599). He was born in 1890, 
and is described as brown in color with white stripe on 
face and white feet. Though criticized as being narrow 
in the chest and feminine in appearance, yet he is the most 
famous sire of the present time, and his 225 get, re- 
corded in the Scotch Clydesdale Stud Book, is approx- 
imately twice as many as credited to any other sire. His 
noted son, Baron of Buchlyvie (11263), out of Young 
Maybloom (12603), by Knight Errant (4483), stands 
second in the list of sires, with no get recorded to his 
credit. 

Baron of Buchlyvie was born in 1900 and sold as a 
three-year-old for an equivalent of $3,750, and in 191 1 he 
was sold at Ayr, Scotland, for $47,500, the highest price 
ever paid for a horse of draft breeding. Benedict 
(103 15), another son of Baron's pride, was a noted show 
animal in Scotland, and was imported to Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, in 1900, where he stood at the head of the Brook- 
side Farm stud until 1904, when he was returned to Scot- 
land. The greatest breeders and owners of Clydesdale 
draft horses are A. and W. Montgomery of Netherhall 
and Bank, Kirkcudbright, Scotland. 



THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE 1 93 

The Clydesdale draft horse in America. — The first im- 
portations were probably taken to Canada, because of the 
love of the Scotch settlers for their favorite breed. In 
1842 Archibald Ward of Markham, Ontario, imported Grey 
Clyde (78) ; in 1842 R. Johnson of Scarborough, Ontario, 
imported Sovereign (181) ; in 1850 David Roundtree, Jr., 
of Weston, Ontario, imported Cumberland (106) ; in 
185 1 John Wilson of Oshawa, Ontario, imported George 
Buchanan (182) ; and in 1854 William Cochrane of 
Claremont, Ontario, imported Bay Wallace (5). 

It was not un- ^ 

til the early "'"^^ CT Il 

seventies that .^^ffl^^^^^\ 

Clydesdales be- ^^fl||^^^^^^HK^H^pMiBS| 

gan to appear in ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ K i^^W 
the United . f ^^^B^^^^^^ ^^^^W' 
States, when \ ^HHBH|^^^ ^^^y 
they were in- 
troduced from 
Canada and di- 
rect from Scot- 
land. The largest 
i m p o r t a tions 

were made m p,(,_ 104.— Clydesdale Mare "Nunas Numice'* 

the eighties and 

early nineties, when many thousands of both sexes were 
brought to America and widely distributed. The more 
prominent of the early importers were : Powell Brothers, 
Springboro, Pennsylvania; Robert Holloway, Alexis, 
Illinois; N. P. Clarke, St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Brook- 
side Farm, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

Famous American Clydesdale sires. — While the list of 
sires that has contributed to the improvement of this 
breed in our country is very long, yet the following table 
contains a few of the more notable ones, the date of birth^, 
date of importation, and the sire and dam : 



194 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Name 


Date 

of 
birth 


Date 
of 
im- 
por- 
tation 


Sire 


Dam 


Donald Dinnie (273) 


1869 


1873 


Glancer (339) 


Jess, by Prince 

Albert (1257) 
Knockdon Maggie, 

by Ivanhoe(916) 
Empress (Clyde 

mare) 
Jess of Torrorie 

(4520) 
Bet of Bellemack 

(5506) 
Jess of Bloomhill 

(6800) 
Belle of the Lyons 

(3511) 
Princess of Craich- 

more III (5601) 
Mary MacGregor 

(12864) 


Cedric (929) 

Glencoe (158) 

Lord Lyriedoch (4113) 


1875 
1877 
1884 


1881 
1881 


Prince of Wales (487) 
Prince of Wales (487) 
Lord Bantyne (2243) 


Mac Queen (3513) 
Lyndoch Chief (5642) 


1885 
1889 


1886 
1890 


MacGregor (1487) 
Lord Lyriedoch (4113) 


Young Mac Queen (8033) 


1894 




Mac Queen (3513) 


Laminated Steel (8700) 
Benedict (9300) 


1896 
1896 


1899 


Cedric 929 

Baron's Pride (9122) 



Famous show animals. — ^^In recent years the exhibits of 
Clydesdale draft horses at the various fairs and horse 
shows have attracted favorable comment, and the follow- 
ing table gives a few of the more noted prize-winning 
stallions and mares at the International Live Stock Ex- 
hibition, Chicago : 



Stallions 



Mares 



Flisk Prince, by Marmion 

Mikado, by Marcellus 

King Norman, by Mucius 

Baron Chapmanton, by Baron's Pride 

Gartley Pride, by Baron's Pride 

Dinwoodie Star, by Pacific 

Lord Gleniffer, by Sir Ronald 



Princess Fortune, by Criterion 
Purple Heather, by Baron Hood 
Lady Lustrious, by Borgue Chief 
Lady Efhe, by McAra 
Pearl of Fairfield, by Netherlia 
Harviestown Baroness, by Baron's Pride 
Lady Carruchan, by CJallant-Carruchan 



Description of the Clydesdale draft horse. — The best 
type of Clydesdale calls for all the characteristics of a 
model draft horse. Perhaps the general appearance is 
not so massive as the Percheron, though the weights are 
approximately equal, the stallions averaging 1,700 to 
2,000 pounds and the mares 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. In 
height the stallions average about 16.2 hands and the 



THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE 1 95 

mares one to two inches less, although occasionally 
animals of this breed are observed that will stand over 17 
hands in height. The preferred color and markings are 
bay or brown, with a white star or blaze on the fore- 
head or face, and with white legs up to the knees and 
hocks. Other colors are found, particularly blacks, grays 
and chestnuts. Gray is unpopular, however, and chest- 
nut indicates English Shire blood. 

The head is large with nose often slightly arched ; the 
nostrils wide and open; the eyes bright, clear and full of 
vigor, yet mild ; the forehead, full between the eyes, but 
tapering upward ; and the ears of fair length and active, 
indicative of good disposition. The neck is of medium 
length and massive, slightly arched in the stallion, and 
also in the mare when she becomes old or in high condi- 
tion. . The shoulders are somewhat oblique, accompanied 
by high withers, thus providing conditions favorable to 
a free, easy and long stride. 

The back is straight and broad with the ribs well sprung. 
Formerly shortness in the rear ribs was a common defect 
in the Clydesdale, making him too light in the belly and 
leggy in appearance, although in recent years much atten- 
tion has been given to increasing the depth of the body by 
adding to the length of the rear ribs with a corre- 
sponding lessening of the criticism. The croup is muscu- 
lar with tail well set, and the quarters especially well de- 
veloped'. The thighs are rounded and muscular. The set 
of the knees and hocks is one of the strong points of the 
breed. The hock is free from coarseness, suggestive of 
disease, with the hollows well formed. The cannons are 
short and flat with plenty of substance and the sinews at 
the back of the legs are strong and well defined. The fet- 
locks are large and strong and the pasterns fairly sloping. 
The feet are large and occasionally too thin and flat at 
the heels. White feet, though common, are objection- 
able, being frequently, though not invariably, softer than 
the dark colors. They are now so prevalent among the 



196 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

best horses that some authorities go so far as to say that 
a white foot and sock are essential in the pure Clydes- 
dale, although there seems to be well-supported objec- 
tion to both white feet and legs in southern climates 
where the white surface is liable to burn and blister in 
the sun so that the parts become swollen and painful, 
particularly when the horses have access to water in 
which they can wet the white places. 




FIG. 105.— CLYDESDALE STALLION "PRIDE OF DRUMLANDRIG" 

The backs of the cannons support a growth of long 
hair known as the "feather." In horses of best quality 
the hair springs from the edge of the cannon and is fine, 
silky and long. The statement is often made that a 
proper feather protects the coronet and back part of the 
pastern from filth and mud, and, consequently, is a pre- 
ventive of scratches. At any rate, the feather when 
fine indicates that the other tissues, such as the bone. 



THE CLYDESDALE DRAFT HORSE 1 9/ 

skin and hair, are also of fine texture. On the other 
hand, when the feather is wiry and coarse, and curly, it 
denotes a leg that is predisposed to grease heel and 
scratches. 

The Scottish breeders have given much consideration 
to the action, and as a result the Clydesdale draft horse 
is particularly noted for his free and snappy knee and 
hock action. It is stated that he surpasses all other 
breeds of draft horses in length of stride, and straight- 
ness and sprightliness of movement, and in the ability 
to keep the hock together with mechanical accuracy of 
motion, whether walking or trotting. 

Criticisms of the Clydesdale. — Horsemen often criticize 
this and other ''feathered" breeds because of the hairy legs 
which are often difficult to keep clean, dry and free from 
disease, particularly when the horses are obliged to work 
on dirt roads or under conditions in which dampness and 
mud are prevalent in the cooler months of the year. The 
tendency to straightness in the pastern is also often ob- 
jectionable as is also the shortness of the rear ribs, 
which gives the body a rangy appearance and adds length 
to the legs. 

Uses of the Clydesdale draft horse. — This breed is es- 
sentialh^- a draft one, the free, straight, rapid gait and 
strong, heavy frame, giving it high rank among draft 
breeds. In addition, Clydesdale stallions are useful in 
crossing on common mares, the resulting offspring being 
excellent for farm and city work. The standing of 
Clydesdale grades is indicated by the $3,200 paid for 
four draft geldings a few years ago on the Chicago horse 
market. They are of good disposition and active, though 
often lacking weight, which emphasizes the absolute 
necessity of using only such stallions for crossing as have 
plenty of middle as well as quality and bone. 

Distribution of the Clydesdale draft horse. — The 
adaptability of this breed has led to a wide distribution, 
perhaps greater than that of any other draft breed. 



198 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Besides the English-speaking countries of the United 
States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the breed 
has been largely imported to the Argentine Republic, Cape 
Colony, Sweden, Russia and Germany. In America, the 
Clydesdale has been most prominent in Canada, where 
the good effects in grading up farm mares to produce 
drafters serviceable for farm and city work may be seen 
in all the large cities. In the United States the breed 
has found most favor in the north central states. 

Organizations and records. — In 1877 the American 
Clydesdale Horse Association was formed and a stud 
book established in which, at the present time, are re- 
corded approximately 20,000 animals. The Scottish 
Clydesdale Horse Society was organized in 1878 and a 
stud book established of which, in 1912, there are 33 
volumes recording approximately 27,500 mares and 
16,000 stallions. 



CHAPTER XVIII 
THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 

Although enjoying- the same advantage as the Clydes- 
dale, so far as the influence of the English-speaking peo- 
ple is concerned, the Shire draft horse has not met with 
the same degree of public favor here in America as that 
accorded the Clydesdale. 

The native home of the Shire draft horse. — This breed 
was largely developed in the lowlands of east central 
England, particularly in the district between the Humber 
and the Cam rivers occupying the rich lands of Lincoln 
and Cambridgeshire and extending westward through the 
counties or shires of Huntingdon, Northampton, Leices- 
ter, Nottingham, Derby, Warwick and Stafl:ord, on to the 
river Severn. The climate, soil and habits of the people 
all contributed to the development of horses of size and 
substance. During its past history the Shire or its proto- 
type has been known in England as the Great Horse, 
War Horse, Cart Horse, Old English Black Horse, Giant 
Leicestershire, Strong Horse, and, lastly, Shire horse. 

The origin of the Shire draft horse. — Exact data as to 
the early origin is speculative, although the Shire is con- 
sidered to be a descendant of the old War Horse of Great 
Britain. It is stated of Caesar that when he invaded the 
British Islands he was impressed with the excellency of 
the horses that were attached to the war chariots of the 
Britons. In early times, heavy active horses, being in 
great demand for war purposes, led to the importation 
of heavy horses from Flanders and Normandy. It is 
recorded that large importations of heavy black horses 
were made from Flanders, Holland and Germany as early 
as the eleventh century. Sir Walter Gilbey, referring 
to the paintings of Paul Potter, who died in 1654, states 

199 



200 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



that the strains of North German and Flanders blood 
were so strongly represented in our English horses of the 
best stamp that we need not inquire whether this horse 
was of German, Flemish or English origin, the character 
of all being practically the same. From this it would 
seem that the early Shire was of very mixed breeding. 

In the reign of Henry VIII (1509- 1547) special atten- 
tion was directed to the breeding of strong horses. Laws 
were enacted to promote increased size and strength. 




FIG. 106.— SHIRE STALLION "BLETCHLEY ROYAL DUKE' 



and mares and stallions were only allowed to breed 
under certain restrictions. At the time this was thought 
necessary because of the heavy armor used by man and 
horse. It is stated that man's armor weighed approx- 
imately 100 pounds, the horse's 80 pounds and the spear 
20 pounds, totaling 200 pounds, approximately. Adding 
to this the weight of a man, the war horse was obliged to 
support nearly 400 pounds. 



THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 201 

Robert Bakewell improved the Shire draft horse. — 

Bakewell, often termed the father of improved live stock 
husbandry, because of his methods of breeding, w^s born 
in 1726, at Dishley Hall, near Loughborough, in Leices- 
tershire, and died in 1795. He was one of the earliest 
important improvers of the Shire draft horse, though it 
was then known as the Leicestershire Cart Horse. His 
belief that the familiar maxim, "Like begets like," was not 
limited to a general similarity of the offspring and the 
parent, but extended to the minutest details of the or- 
ganization, led him to adopt for his guidance a definite 
standard of excellence representing the form and internal 
qualities that w^ere best adapted to the highest develop- 
ment of the horse for a specific purpose. Thus, Marshall, 
who lived in Bakewell's time, stated that he kept four 
points in view — the breed, the utility of form, the quality, 
and a propensity to fleshen, the three latter depending 
on the first. 

From Holland Bakewell imported large mares and 
used them in systematic crossing with English stallions. 
A well-trained eye enabled him to detect the slightest 
variations from the standard and a good judgment, which 
was not biased by non-essential conditions or fanciful 
theories, enabled him to mate his animals so as to add 
materially to the value of the breed. Descendants of his 
noted stallion, Bakewell's Gee, through a grandson, Burn- 
ing's Gee, of Stanley Gate, were well known in the 
vicinity of Liverpool for fully three-quarters of a centur}^ 
The use of armor having become obsolete, on account of 
the invention of gunpowder, much attention was given 
to breeding horses for draft and farming purposes. With 
the improvement of the public roads and the use of 
coaches the draft horse came into special demand and 
improvement was stimulated by the liberal awarding of 
prizes at horse shows. 

Early types of the Shire draft horse. — In the first 



202 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



volume of the English Cart Horse Stud Book three types 
of Shires are mentioned. 

First. Horses having the upper lip garnished with a 
long, thick mustache, considered at one time a dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of the Lincolnshire horse. The 
color of the mustache was always black, white or a mix- 
ture of the two, and invariably corresponded with the 
hue of the skin from which it sprang. 

Second. Horses having the lips, muzzle and eyelids 
destitute of hair. The skin in these places, being either 
bald or covered with 
exceeding fine down, is 
almost invariably flesh 
colored, and is some- 
times marked with 
small dark spots and 
blotches. This gave 
rise to the terms ''bald 
horses" and ''b a 1 d - 
faced horses.'* 

Third. Horses hav- 
ing a long tuft of hair 
growing from the front 
of each knee, and rarer 
examples also having a 
similar growth from 

the hind part of the hock, just below its joint. This is 
very much different from the ordinary hair on the back of 
the cannons and appears independent of sexual influence. 
This type was more frequently observed in Wales than 
in England. 

The early Shire of the various types were large, coarse 
and slow. Their heads were large, ears coarse, and their 
lips thick; their shoulders were heavy, legs hairy and 
pasterns straight, and their feet were large, heels weak 
and the hoof of somewhat soft and spongy texture. The 




Fig. 107. — Shire Stallion "Narden Lad" 



THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 203 

rear ribs lacked depth and were so placed as to give 
the body an appearance of undue length and lightness. 

Famous Shire sires. — Among the many notable stallions 
that have aided materially in the perfecting of the Shire 
draft horse may be mentioned Packington Blind Horse, 
Honest Tom, Prince William, and others. 

Packington Blind Horse. — The village of Packington 
has the credit of possessing one of the oldest draft 
stallions of which we have record. This horse does not 
appear to have been recognized by any distinctive name, 
but is generally alluded to as the ^'Packington Blind 
Horse." It is assumed that he was in the vigor of life 
some time between the years 1755 and 1770, also that his 
color was black with white markings. His chief 
descendants, of which we have record, were bred and 
owned by Oldacre of Peatland Lodge, Leicestershire. 

Honest Tom (1105). — This horse was sired by Thumper 
(2123), and out of Beauty, a noted winner of many prizes 
in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk and second prize brood 
mare at the Royal Show at Wolverhampton in 1871. 
Honest Tom was a bay, born in 1865, and owned for 
many years by T. H. Miller of Singleton Park, Lan- 
cashire, England. He won first prize each year from 
1867 to 1872, at the Ro3^al Agricultural Society shows of 
England, as well as at numerous others. Many of his 
descendants also proved noteworthy show animals. 

Prince William (3956). — This horse was sired by 
William the Conqueror (2343), a very famous show 
animal, and out of Lockington Beauty, by Champion 
(457). He was born in 1883, and for twenty years stood 
at the head of Lord Wantage's stud, where he was very 
successful. In 1894, 52 of his offspring sold at an aver- 
age of $600. Prince William died in 1905, at the age of 
22 years. 

Other famous sires. — While the list of notable Shire 
sires that have contributed to the improvement of this 
breed is very long, the following table contains a few of 



204 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



the more notable ones, the date of birth and the sire and 
dam: 



Name 


Date 

of 
birth 


Sire 


Dam 


Honest Tom (1062) 
John Bull (1169) 
William the Conqueror 

(2343) 
Champion (440) 

Nonpariel (1652) 
Lincolnshire Lad II 

(1365) 
Bar None (2388) 

Premier (2646) 
Harold 3703 

Hitchen Conqueror 

(4458) 
Bury Chief Victor 

(11105) 
Dunsmore Jameson 

(17972) 
Lockinge Forest King 

(18867) 


1806 
1839 
1862 

1867 

1868 
1872 

1877 

1880 
1881 

1883 

1889 

1898 

1899 


John Bull (Fisher's) 
John Bull (1160) 
Leicestershire 

(Domber's) 
Champion (413) 

A I (1) 

Lincolnshire Lad (1196) 

Lincoln (1348) 

What's Wanted (2332) 
Lincolnshire Lad II 

(1365) 
William the Conqueror 

(2343) 
Prince Victor (5287) 

Moors Zealot (15731) 

Lockinge Manners 
(16780) 


Dam, by Robin Hood 
Dam, by Honest Tom 
Dam, by William the Con- 
queror (2340) 
Depper, by Champion 

(413) 
Matchless 
Madam 

Dam, bv Great Britain 

(973) 
Star, by Drayman (640) 
Dam, by Champion (419) 

Flower, by Honest Prince 

(1058) 
Bury Daisy, by Chatteris 

Le Bon (3023) 
Moors Bonny, by Regent 

II (6316) 
The Forest Queen, by 
Royal Albert (1885) 



The Shire draft horse in America. — No doubt Shire 
horses very early found their way to America, although 
the first authentic account is that of Tamworth, intro- 
duced from England to London, Ontario, in 1836, by the 
British troops, and described as a heavy artillery horse. 
Another, named King Alfred, is mentioned as imported 
in 1847. The first importations to reach the United 
States v^ere in 1853, v^hen Strickland introduced a Shire 
stallion from England to Aurora, Illinois, w^here he w^as 
knov^n as John Bull. A fev^ years later another stallion 
by the same name v^as imported to Bristol, Kendall 
county, Illinois. A man named Slyke owned another 
called Sampson, which traveled along the Fox River, 
in northern Illinois, and became very popular as a sire. 
The descendants of these stallions attracted favorable 
comment, and sold at high prices for breeding purposes. 

In the first volume of the American Shire Horse Stud 



THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 



205 



Book, George E. Brown, a prominent Shire breeder at 
Aurora, states that as far back as he has been able to 
iearn the earliest advertisement of Shires by any im- 
porter in western agricultural papers was in 1875. Up 
to this time little progress had been made, but during the 
eighties much improvement was obtained, although the 
progress of the Shire in America has not been as rapid 
as might be expected, considering the merits of the 
breed. Among the more noted of the earlier importers 
were : Burgess Brothers of Wenona, and George E. 
Brown of Aurora, Illinois; W. M. Fields & Brother of 
Cedar Falls, Iowa; Galbraith Brothers of Janesville, Wis- 
consin; Bell Brothers of Wooster, Ohio; and Powell 
Brothers of Springboro, Pennsylvania. 

Famous show animals. — At many of the leading agri- 
cultural and horse shows the exhibits of Shires have 
attracted favorable comment. The following table gives 
a few of the more noted prize-winning stallions and mares 
at the International Live Stock Exhibition, Chicago : 



Stallions 



Mares 



Royal Grey, by Xingsway 

Southill Castle, by Castle-Bronwick 

Keith 
Dan Patch, by Wellingborough 
Farmers Grey, by Lake Lancer 

Moulton Sergeant 

Lockinge Hengist, by Lockinge Forester 



Coldham Surprise, by Normoor States- 
man 
Coldham Charm, by Artillery 

Shelford Pride, by Childwick Majestic 
Prospect Fair Alice, by Nailston Coeur de 

Lion 
Wrydeland's Sunshine, by Bury Blood 

Royal 
Wallington Sunbeam 3d, by Phenomenon 

3d 



Description of the Shire draft horse. — In general char- 
acteristics this breed is similar to the Clydesdale, being 
perhaps a little shorter in the legs and slightly larger. 
This is the largest English draft breed, stallions weigh- 
ing 1,800 to 2,000 pounds being of comparatively common 
occurrence. The height averages from 16.2 to 17 hands 
for stallions, with mares two inches less. The common 
colors are bay, brown or black, with white markings on the 



206 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



face and on the legs below the knees and hocks. Other 
colors are occasionally observed, though uncommon. 

The head is large with a tendency to a Roman face, and 
often lacking width between the eyes. The neck is short, 
well crested and muscular. The shoulders are likely to 
be too straight, making the action in front short and 
stilted, although this conformation is considered advan- 
tageous for draft. The body of the Shire is larger and 
deeper than that of the Clydesdale, with a stronger and 
more powerful appearing loin. The quarters are full and 
heavily muscled. The legs above the knees and hocks 
are well muscled and powerful, while the joints are large 



J 


W^^ 








: 






^■■^^wWI 




^•t/. -- 


Mill 


h 


^' : 


s. .....ifiifci 


L- 






^::i!lliiit:' ■ 





FIG. 108.-— SHIRE STALLION "LOCKINGE HINGISF* 



THE SHIRE DRAFT HORSE 20J 

and strong. The cannons are fairly full, the pasterns 
inclined to be straight and the feet large, with rather flat 
heels. The backs of the cannons support a long growth 
of hair, as in the Clydesdales, which should be long, fine 
and flowing, as this indicates quality. 

Criticisms of the Shire. — As in the Clydesdale, the 
hairy legs are much criticized, particularly in America. 
The rather straight shoulders and straight, short pas- 
terns result in lack of action. The feet are often too flat, 
with heels too low. Owing to the weight, criticism is 
often passed on the lack of quality and the sluggish tem- 
perament. 

Uses of the Shire draft horse. — This breed is useful for 
heavy draft and for crossing on native common mares, in 
which capacity it is an important factor in improving our 
horse stock for draft purposes. This is attested by the 
high prices obtained for vShire grades upon our horse 
markets. In 1904 a Shire gelding, weighing 2,210 
pounds, sold for $865, which, at that time, was the highest 
price reported. 

Distribution of the Shire draft horse. — This breed en- 
joys great popularity in England, where it is first among 
draft horses. From England it has spread into most 
other English-speaking countries and to Europe and 
South America; particularly to Germany and Argentine 
Republic. In America it is most popular in the north 
central states, especially in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. 

Organizations and records. — The English Cart Horse 
Society was organized in 1878 and a stud book estab- 
lished. In 1884 the name of the society was changed to 
the"^ Shire Horse Society, which at present has a large and 
influential membership. Thirty odd volumes of the stud 
book have appeared, recording many thousands of 
animals. In 1885 the American Shire Association was 
organized and a stud book established, of which eight 
volumes have been published containing a total of 12,850 
pedigrees. 



CHAPTER XIX 
THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 

While but recently introduced to America, the Belgian 
draft horse is very popular, especially where massive 
drafters are demanded. At the present time, possibly, 
this breed ranks next to the Percheron and Standardbred 
in public favor (p. 434). 

The native home of the Belgian draft horse. — As the 
name indicates, this breed is a native of Belgium. 
Though a small country, Belgium has a reputation as the 
home of draft horses extending back through several cen- 
turies. The soil and the climate, as well as the habits of 
the people, provide ideal conditions for the development 
of large horses. The Belgian people are passionatel}^ 
fond of horse breeding, although the farms are small and, 
consequently, the breeding of horses is carried on in small 
holdings and on a limited scale. 

The origin of the Belgian draft horse. — As with many 
of the other breeds of horses, the real origin is obscure. It 
is stated that as early as the time of Caesar, and even be- 
fore, the Belgian people were great judges of horses and 
willing to pay high prices for superior animals. For 
many centuries the horses of Belgium have been in great 
demand, and it is stated that the greater part of the 
Roman cavalry consisted of Belgian horses. Certain it 
is that up to about the sixteenth century horse breeding 
was a very important industry in Belgium, but with the 
invention and general use of gunpowder, it seems that 
the horse was largely relegated to agricultural pursuits. 

In the early history of the Belgian draft horse no par- 
ticular animals_appeg,r to have been prominent, nor has 
any breeder of outstanding influence appeared. Unlike 
most of the other breeds of horses, the Belgian has been 

208 



THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 



209 



almost entirely the product of its environment. Further, 
many, if not all, the draft breeds of Great Britain and 
France were greatly improved during their formative 
period by the use of the heavy Flemish horse, the early 
progenitor of the Belgian. While this country has long 
been famous for its ponderous horses, yet modern 
horse breeding, in its greatest activity, is comparatively 
recent. 

Early types of Belgian horses. — In the early develop- 
ment of the breed, with each district trying to produce 
the highest type of draft horse, several types, more or 
less distinct, sprang into existence. Thus we find refer- 




FIG. 109.--BELGIAN STALLION "MELON" 



ence to the Flanders horse, the Brabancon horse, the 
horse of Hageland, the horse of Hesba3^e, the horse of 
Hainaut, the horse of Condroz and the horse of Ardennais. 
These types have very largely disappeared, although in 
western Flanders horses having the characteristics of the 
Frisonne-Flemish are sometimes found, but they are be- 
coming more and more rare. 

The Belgian riiethods for improving the horse. — In 
1850 interest in horse breeding was greatly stimulated 



2IO MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

by tTie establishment of a government breeding stud at 
Tervueren. Since that date the government has given 
special attention to the improvement of draft horses. The 
sum of about 400,000 francs ($75,000) is annually ex- 
pended in behalf of this vv^ork. Much of this money is 
awarded as prizes at horse shows, which are controlled 
by provincial regulations and which occur in about 50 
different places. Foals, mares and stallions are each 
recognized, and an idea of the extent and influence may 
be gained by a brief review of the stallion regulations. 

At each show a first and second prize is awarded to both 
three-year-old and aged stallions, which includes all 
stallions four years old and over. In the three-year-old 
class the first prize is 400 francs and the second 300 
francs, while in the aged class the first is 550 francs and 
the second 400 francs. Further, the examining committee 
may award a maintenance bounty of 700 francs to an aged 
stallion that has won a first prize at a previous annual 
show. A similar prize of 500 francs may be awarded to 
an aged stallion that has won second place for two years. 
The committee may nominate exceptional stallions that 
have won bounty prizes, to compete for a grand prize of 
6,000 francs, payable annually by fifths, so long as the 
animals remain approved. At the end of the five years 
the owner of such a stallion, if remaining approved, may 
draw an annual bounty of from 600 to 800 francs. 

In order to retain the best stallions in Belgium the regu- 
lations provide that in case a stallion, which has received 
the 6,000 francs bounty, is sold to leave the country, the 
fifths already received by the owner must be returned 
to the state treasury. In addition to all this there are 
other extra prizes that may be awarded to stallions that 
win a first or a second prize as well as to stallions of sub- 
ordinate rank. Bounties for maintenance may also be 
awarded to the owners of the best mares in order to retain 
them in the country. 



THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 211 

The draft horse shows of Belgium are very notable 
events, because of the large amount of prize money 
awarded the horses exhibited. The annual June show at 
Brussels is by far the largest exhibit of one breed made 
in Europe. The number of entries often runs well up 
toward i,ooo, with hundreds of stables represented from 
all parts of Belgium, although the provinces of Liege, 
Namur, Brabant and Hainaut contribute the more famous 
horses. In addition to the annual show at Brussels many 
agricultural associations also hold fairs in Belgium, at 
which local horses are exhibited. These serve to stimulate 
interest among the small owners. 




FIG. no.— BELGIAN STALLION "LEOPARD" 

The Belgian draft horse in America. — The first au- 
thentic importation of horses from Belgium to America 
was in 1866 when A. G. Van Hoorebeke introduced them 
to Monmouth, Illinois. These horses were designated as 
Boulonnais at first, but a few years later were given the 
correct name of Belgians. There were but few importa- 



212 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

tions until the eighties, when they were brought over in 
large numbers. The following are among the more noted 
early importers : The Wabash Importing company of 
Wabash, Indiana; D. P. Stubbs & Sons of Fairfield, Iowa; 
Nicholas Massion of Mintonk, Illinois. The following 
names are the more common among the recent importers : 
A. B. Holbert of Greeley, and Lefebure «& Sons of Fair- 
fax, Iowa; J. Crouch & Son of Lafayette, Indiana; Mc- 
Laughlin Bros, of Columbus, Ohio; Dunhams of Wayne, 
Illinois; and H. A. Briggs of Wisconsin. 

While many stallions have been brought over only a 
few mares have been imported. In the past this may 
have been due, in part at least, to the fact that there was 
not the demand for Belgians to encourage importing and 
breeding, as the trade was better satisfied with the Per- 
cherons and some of the English draft breeds, although 
at present this condition cannot be said to exist. Another 
factor that is serving to keep the Belgian mares at home is 
the high price asked for them in Belgium. 

Growing popularity of the Belgian. — In the past decade 
this breed has received very favorable comment among 
breeders and consumers of heavy draft horses. This is 
forcibly illustrated by the high prices obtained in the 
horse market for Belgian grades as well as by the many 
attractive exhibits shown at the various fairs and horse 
shows. This growing popularity is due to the size, 
strength and endurance as well as to the action possessed 
by Belgians of quality. The conformation and color are 
attractive, the legs clean and free from long hairs, which 
adds to the popularity. 

Famous show animals. — Since the World's Fair at St. 
Louis in 1904, the Belgians, particularly the stallions, 
have made a strong public impression at the show ring. 
While the list of prize winners is very long, the following 
table contains a few of the more important stallions and 
mares that have won at the International Live Stock Ex- 
position, Chicago: 



THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 



213 



Stallions 


Mares 


Mon Gros, by Champetre de Labian 
M-dor-de-B-C, by Bacchus 

Bonaparte de Boulant, by Reve d'Or 

Chauteur, by Ideal du Fosteau 

Richelieu, by Apollon 

Coco, by Coquet 

Cyclone, by Marquis de Klenyem 


Betsy de Voorde, by Volcan de Cortie 
Lucie de Ostende by Bienfoit de Ron- 

quieres 
Catherina, by Nickle 
Soupette, by Parfait de Mar 
Diana du Kat, by Grand Due du Posteau 
Margarine, by Due de Chenoy 
EHza, by Avenir de Bruges 




FIG. IIL— BELGIAN MARE "BELLA' 



Description of the Belgian draft horse. — This breed is 
one of the most compact in form of any of the draft breeds 
in America, possessing a maximum of weight within a 
given space. The weight and height are variable, 
stallions from Flanders weighing about 2,000 pounds and 
averaging 16.2 to 17 hands high; stallions from Brabant 
weighing about 1,600 pounds and averaging 15.3 to 16.3 
hands high ; while stallions from Ardennais weigh only 
about 1,200 to 1,500 pounds and average 15 to 15.3 
hands high. The common color is chestnut, although 



214 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

bay, brown and roan are frequently found. Grays are 
not in favor and not often found. The Belgian is much 
praised for his superior temperament. This kind dis- 
position is due, in part at least, to the fact that the breed 
has been developed on small farms, so that the horses 
were in close relationship with the everyday life of the 
people. 

The head is of good size, face straight, nostrils large, 
but eyes rather small and not very prominent. The ears 
are small, set wide apart and generally well carried. The 
neck is short, very thick and well crested. The shoulders 
are upright, strong and heavily muscled. The chest is 
deep and wide, giving a very large girth. The ribs are 
long, well sprung and closely coupled at the loin, giving 
a better body than is found in any other breed of draft 
horses. 

The back is short and very broad, but is often in- 
clined to sway more than is desired. The rump is 
short, very wide and muscular, but is inclined to be steep 
with the tail attached low, although well carried. In 
fact the head, neck and rump suggest the French breeds 
in general appearance. The " quarters and thighs are 
heavily muscled. The hocks are rounded, lacking defini- 
tion, and the legs, though short and devoid of long hair, 
are rather thick, and the tendons and bones lack defini- 
tion. The pasterns are often rather short and straight, 
which, in connection with hoofs inclined to be straight, 
give a rather short and stilted action, although good 
action is claimed for the better specimens. 

Criticisms of the Belgian. — American breeders state that 
the conformation and quality of the legs are not all that 
could be expected. Often the bones of the legs lack suf- 
ficient substance to support the body weight and with- 
stand the severest of labor. It is also stated that the 
rather straight pasterns and feet often predispose the 
lower legs to disease, which is aggravated all the more 
by narrow and high heels. Frequently the hocks do not 



THE BELGIAN DRAFT HORSE 



215 



show as great depth and strength as is desirable. Among 
a few breeders the back is often criticized for a slight 
tendency to sag, giving a sway-back appearance. 

Uses of the Belgian draft horse. — The short, stocky legs 
and low-set, blocky body make this breed very useful for 
slow, heavy hauling over city streets, thus it ranks high 
for heavy draft over smooth roads. The Belgian draft 
horse is especially adapted for crossing on common mares, 
lacking in weight and 
substance for the pro- 
duction of heavy 
draft horses. This 
cross is particularly 
successful when grade 
Clydesdale mares are 
used, as it gives an 
increased depth of 
body with a corre- 
sponding shortening of 
the legs, and a general 
massiveness of form 
not easily secured by 
the use of any other 
breed of draft stal- 
lions. Such animals command a fancy price in the horse 
market. 

Distribution of the Belgian draft horse. — In recent 
years this breed has enjoyed a widespread distribution 
because of its desirability for the heaviest kind of work. 
Large numbers have been taken to Germany, France, 
Holland, Sweden, Austria and other European countries ; 
to Argentine Republic and other South American coun- 
tries as well as to both the United States and Canada. 
In the United States, the Belgian has been longest known, 
and the largest number are found in Iowa, Illinois, In- 
diana and Ohio, although in recent years it has been 
distributed wherever heavy draft horses are needed. 




Fig. 112. — Belgian Mare "Gamine" 



2l6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Organizations and records. — In 1886 the National Draft 
Horse Society of Belgium (Le Cheval de Trait Beige) 
was founded and a stud book established. This society 
is very aggressive, having a very large membership. It 
receives an annual grant of 30,000 francs ($5,000) from 
the government to promote horse breeding. Up to 1909 
the stud book consisted of 17 volumes, recording 52,134 
stallions and 66,633 rnares. In 1887 the American Asso- 
ciation of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft 
Horses was organized and a stud book established. 
While this association has worked in complete harmony 
with the one in Belgium, it has not been nearly so effec- 
tive. In 191 1 three volumes of the stud book had been 
published recording 4,700 stallions and 1,440 mares. 



CHAPTER XX 
THE SUFFOLK DRAFT HORSE 

Of the six major breeds of draft horses in America, the 
Suffolk was the last to be introduced, and is, perhaps, the 
least known, although the breed as such is one of the 
oldest of the draft type. 

The native home of the Suffolk draft horse. — This 
breed was largely developed in the eastern part of Eng- 
land, especially in Suft'olk county, which has long been 







°^^w 



FIG. 113.— SUFFOLK STALLION 

noted for the general excellence of its heavy horses. 
This county comprises about 1,500 square miles. The 
soil is fertile, providing nutritious pastures and suitable 
for the development of heavy horses. Another important 
factor is the habits of the people, who possess a natural 
love for the breeding of horses, a characteristic of all 
Britons. 

217 



2l8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The early origin of the Suffolk draft horse. — While 
exact authentic data is wanting", it is believed that, in 
purity of blood this breed surpasses any other breed in 
Great Britain. As early as 1700 much attention was 
given to improving the native horses of Sufifolk and Essex 
counties by better care and management. For almost a 
century there is no reliable data of the introduction of 
foreign blood. While it is sometimes stated that horses 
from Normandy played an important part in the forma- 
tion of the breed, no positive information exists on this 
point, and the evidence indicates that there was little or 
no admixture of outside blood until well toward the close 
of the eighteenth century. 

Crisp's Horse of Ufford (404), the Suffolk foundation. 
— All pedigrees of the breed that are recorded in the stud 
book of either England or America trace to the Crisp 
Horse (404). He was owned by T. Crisp of Ufford, 
Sussex; w^as born in 1768, and by an unknown sire. He 
stood 15.2 hands high, w^as of a light chestnut color and 
active. The Crisp Horse proved a remarkable breeder, 
as is shown by a tabulation in the first volume of the 
Suffolk Horse Stud Book, which includes over 700 of his 
descendants in 15 generations, the first five of which cover 
a period of almost thirty years and brings the horses to 
the starting point of the pedigrees of Suffolk horses, as 
recorded in the stud book, though little is known of the 
dams previous to this time. The Crisp Horse is the sire 
of five recorded offspring, but his line is represented 
through Glud's Horse (587), born about 1775 and died at 
Laxfield in 1783. He stood about 16 hands high, of a 
beautiful chestnut color and was well boned and free from 
blemishes. 

Smith's Horse (mo), born in 1799, and a great 
grandson of Glud's Horse (587), is the next most noted 
animal in the Crisp Horse's descent and the one through 
which all of our present-day Suffolks trace. He is 
described as a choice specimen of the breed in his day, 



THE SUFFOLK DRAFT HORSE 



219 



and was the sire of two famous stallions, Brady's Briton 
(198), born in 1809, and Julian's Old Boxer (755), born 
in 1805. From this point the descendants of the Crisp 
Horse become very numerous. Mention should be made, 
however, of Crisp's Cupbearer (416), as he is the sire of 
39 of the more than 700 descendants of the Crisp Horse 
tabulated in Volume I of the stud book. He was born 
in 1864, of a dark 
chestnut color, 
and is described 
as a large horse 
with a grand fore 
end, great depth 
of girth, and 
splendid muscular 
shoulders, but 
plain behind. He 
and his sons were 
famous show ani- 
mals in their day. 

Foreign tribes 
introduced. — That 
foreign blood was 

introduced to Suffolk county to improve the native horse 
stock is now well known. This introduction, however, 
did not take place until nearly a century after the early 
origin of the Suffolk breed. There were, at least, three 
tribes introduced; namely, the Blake tribe, the Wright 
tribe, and the Shadingfield tribe. 

The Blake tribe. — This tribe had its origin in a horse 
named Blake's Farmer (174), born about 1760, and in- 
troduced from Lincolnshire to Suffolk in 1764, by a man 
from whom the horse takes his name. Nothing is known 
of this animal's ancestors, as it is thought the advertised 
pedigree, given him when imported, was incorrect. He 
is described as a trotting stallion and chestnut in color. 
His noted son, Blake's Everett (173), was born in 1778, 




Fig. 114. — Suffolk Mare 



220 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

who in turn sired Blake's Old Briton (171), perhaps the 
most noted sire of the Blake tribe. He was born in 1784, 
and is described as standing 16 hands high, remarkably 
short legged, full of bone, and chestnut in color. His 
noted son, Blake's Young Briton (172), born in 1796, sired 
Spink's Suffolk Farmer (1127), born in 1802, both of 
which were very notable sires of the tribe. 

The Wright tribe. — This tribe originated from a horse 
introduced from Lincolnshire known as Wright's Farm- 
er's Glory (1396), or the Attleboro horse. He was born 
about 1796, though nothing is known of his parentage. 
He is described as chestnut in color and not a trotting 
horse, but having more size, and perhaps may have been 
a half-bred Suffolk. He sired several notable sons, the 
most famous being Adam Hawes' Farmer (674), born in 
1803. This horse in turn sired Pattle's Gye (939), born 
in 1810, and who was the grandsire of Nunn's Boxer 
(913), perhaps the greatest sire of the Wright tribe. 
This horse is described as red chestnut and very stylish, 
though small. 

The Shadingfield tribe. — This tribe takes its early 
origin from a horse named Barber's Proctor (58), born 
in 1793, and said to have been sired by a Thoroughbred. 
He was bay in color and perhaps the greatest sire of the 
Shadingfield tribe. In describing the animals of this 
tribe the Suffolk Stud Book states they were thin in the 
shoulder and light of bone below the hock, but were hard- 
fleshed, wiry, active horses, with long, lean heads, and 
that the mares of the tribe are more or less given to breed 
back to their bay ancestors. 

These tribes were all introduced to improve the breed, 
and each was popular for a time, but they presented de- 
ficiencies along with the desirable qualities. They all 
were submerged into the .Suffolk, as they could not over- 
come the breed characteristics. 

Modern Suffolk draft horse. — The present-day perfec- 
tion of this breed is due to the efforts of the farmers in 



THE SUFFOLK DRAFT HORSE 221 

Suffolk and vicinity generally. All introductions have 
long since ceased, but those remarkable features of short 
legs, rounded bodies and longevity, with vitality, are still 
the well-known characteristics of the Suffolk horse. 

The Suffolk draft horse in America. — Although this 
breed was first introduced to the United States in 1880 
by Powell Brothers of Springboro, Pennsylvania, yet 
progress has been slow, only a few having been imported. 
In 1888 Galbraith Brothers of Janesville, Wisconsin, made 
their first importation of stallions, and during the same 
year Peter Hopley & Company of Lewis, Iowa, intro- 
duced the first mares, and these parties have since been 
the leading exponents of the breed in this country. A 
few scattering importations have been made from time 
to time, the largest in. 1903, when 41 were brought over. 

During recent years the Suffolks have increased in 
popularity somewhat, and at the present time there are 
several breeders in this country the more important of 
whom are Peter Hopley & Son of Lewis, Iowa; Samuel 
InsuU of Libertyville, Illinois; O. C. Barber of Barber- 
ton, Ohio; C. A. Hamilton of Loveland, Colorado; and 
William Anson of Christoval, Texas. 

Show animals. — In recent years there have been several 
creditable exhibits of Suffolks at the various live stock 
shows. At the 191 1 International Live Stock Exposition 
at Chicago the stallions Westside Chieftain, by Ormonde, 
and Ashmoor Luther, by Rendlesham Captain Gray, as 
well as the mares Sudbourne Ruby, by Golden Grain, and 
Ruby, by Bowdsey Harvester, attracted favorable com- 
ment. 

Description of the Suffolk draft horse. — This breed is 
not so large as the other major draft breeds, the average 
weight running from 1,600 to 2,000 pounds, and the aver- 
age height 16 to 16.2 hands. In general type, however, it 
is as low set, short legged, deep bodied and muscular as 
any of the draft breeds, if, indeed, it does not excel all 
others, with the possible exception of the Belgian. The 



222 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



color is exceptionally uniform, and it is generally some 
shade of chestnut, as the breeders have adhered almost 
from the beginning to this color. 

The head is of medium size, clean cut, with small ears, 
full forehead and a nose that tends to Roman form, which 
has been rather characteristic of the breed. The jaws are 
strong, with cheeks deep and full. The neck is short and 




FIG. 115.— SUFFOLK STALLION 



the case of 
a bit heavy or 



full. It is often arched, particularly in 
stallions, and sometimes joins the head 
thick, but at the shoulders, as a rule, it is well connected. 
The shoulders are of good length and powerfully sup- 
ported. The body of the Suffolk is one of its notable fea- 
tures ; the chest is deep and wide ; the ribs are well sprung 
and deep, especially near the flank, giving a short-coupled 
and compact barrel. This undoubtedly contributes to the 
strength of the statement that the Suffolk is an easy 
keeper and possessed of unusual endurance. The rump 



THE SUFFOLK DRAFT HORSE 



223 



is broad, the tail well set and the quarters deep and power- 
fully muscled. The heavy muscling of the legs above the 
knees and hocks is one of the special features of the breed. 
The lower legs are devoid of long hair, and are clean cut 
and cordy. The feet are of good size and in good in- 
dividuals are dense and elastic. 




FIG. 116.— SUFFOLK STALLION 



The action is free and easy, notwithstanding the mas- 
sive conformation, which, in connection with the some- 
what lighter weight, easy keeping and docile disposition, 
particularly adapts the Suffolk for farm work and for light 
draft, where a certain amount of weight may be sacrificed 
for activity and durability. Pulling contests at an early 
time were common among Suft'olk breeds and this, no 
doubt, did much to improve the muscling, the general 
quality and the action. 



224 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Criticisms of the Suffolk. — The seeming lightness of 
limb, compared with the depth and weight of body, as 
well as fullness of the neck, has given the Suffolk the 
appearance of lacking the proper proportion of such parts. 
It is stated that one or two of the early strains were 
troubled with weak or bent hocks, a criticism often heard 
at the present time. Formerly it was stated that the feet 
WQTQ hat and the hoofs brittle, and such remarks are 
often passed at the present day. 

Uses of the Suffolk draft horse. — This breed ranks high 
as a medium draft horse, because of its free action and 
endurance. It finds its true place on the farm and at 
rapid, rather light draft work. Its value in crossing has 
not been fully tested, principally because of the few Suf- 
folk stallions available, although it is stated that when 
crossed on common mares the resulting oft'spring make 
high-class animals for heavy farming and express-wagon 
work. 

Distribution of the Suffolk draft horse. — Although this 
breed has not found favor in America it is extremely 
widespread, having been exported to France, Germany, 
Spain, Austria, Sweden and Russia in Europe ; to South 
Africa and the Nile region ; to Australia ; to New Zea- 
land ; and to Argentine Republic in South America. While 
there are but few in America, they are scattered through- 
out many states and Canada. The breeders report an in- 
creasing interest in the breed. 

Organizations and records — In 1877 the Suffolk Stud 
Book Association was organized and the first volume of 
the Suffolk Stud Book appeared in 1880, which, in addi- 
tion to the pedigrees of some 2,500 animals, contains the 
most authentic early history of the breed. In 1911, 17 
volumes had appeared, containing the pedigrees of 3,744 
stallions and 6,755 rnares. A few years ago the American 
Suffolk Horse Association was organized and a stud book 
established, of which two volumes have appeared con- 
taining the pedigrees of 622 animals. 



CHAPTER XXI 
PONIES 

Formerly the dividing line between the horse and the 
pony was vague and undefined, but in 1883 the Hackney 
Horse Society of England designated all animals meas- 
uring 14 hands or under as ponies, and registered them 
in a separate part of the stud book. This height was 
accepted as the standard by the leading horse show so- 
cieties in England and America. Later the standard 
height of polo ponies was increased to 14.2 hands, and in 
1905 the American Hackney Society increased the height 
of Hackney ponies to 14 hands and i inch. 

The Shetland pony. — Because of its intelligence and 
docile disposition the Shetland is the more popular of the 
imported ponies. He is useful for pleasure driving, es- 
pecially for children. 

The native home of the Shetland pony. — This breed of 
ponies was developed on the Shetland Islands, which are 
situated about 200 miles north of Scotland. There are 
about 120 of these islands, comprising a total area of 
about 500 square miles. They are rocky, barren and cold. 
Not more than fifteen of the islands are inhabited, the 
principal one being Mainland, on which is located Ler- 
wick, the largest port and a town of less than 4,000 peo- 
ple. In addition to Mainland, Fetlar, Bressay, Fair Isle, 
Yell and Unst also take an active interest in breeding 
ponies. 

The history of the Shetland pony. — The early ancestry 
of this breed of ponies is not known. When ponies were 
first introduced to the islands is not a m^atter of record, 
but they have been bred there for centuries. Perhaps 
they are more or less related to the ponies of the British 
Islands, or of Iceland and Scandinavia, As with most 

225 



.226 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

other breeds of horses, the Shetland pony owes its present 
perfection to its environment. Scant forage, oftentimes 
entire lack of grain, and a cold climate, are responsible 
for the diminutive form. 

The improvement of the Shetland pony began in 1873 
when the Marquis of Londonderry took an active interest in 
the breed. He purchased the Island of Noss and a part 
of Bressay on which he maintained large studs. He had 
a stud at Seaham Harbor, on the northeast coast of Eng- 
land. 





FIG. 117.— SHETLAND PONIES AT HOME. LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS 

In 1 89 1 the government returns gave the number of 
ponies on the islands as 4,803, but because of the demand 
in recent years the ponies are steadily decreasing. S. B. 
Elliot, who toured the islands in 1906, made a careful 
estimate of the numbT of ponies, and could not account 
for over 4,000 of all ages and sexes. Further, he estimates 
the number of foals produced annually at 400. 

The Shetland pony in America. — The history of this 
breed of ponies in America is comparatively brief, as but 
few are found, although the first importations occurred 
more than 25 years ago. While in their native home they 



PONIES 



227 



are the horse-of-all-work, yet in America their use is 
limited nearly exclusively to children, whom they serve 
very v^ell, being even tempered, intelligent and active. 

In 1888 the American Shetland Pony Club w^as organ- 
ized and a stud book established. In 191 1 eight volumes 
had appeared, recording about 8,000 ponies. The Shet- 
land Pony Stud Book Society is the official organ of the 
breed in Scotland and on the Shetland Islands. 

Description of the Shetland pony. — The limit of height 




-^ -. r^?*; 



FIG. 118.— SHETLAND PONY "VESPA OF BELLE MEADE' 



established by the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society is 
10 hands and 2 inches. Ponies over this height cannot be 
registered, although in America the Shetland Pony Club 
has increased the height to 11 hands and 2 inches. The 
size is more or less the result of feeding, but the weight 
on the average should approximate 300 to 400 pounds. 



228 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The type of the Shetland is usually that of a small draft 
horse, although many are seen that have fine bone and 
slender bodies similar to the trotting type. In fact, the 
type varies somewhat on the different islands. The com- 
mon colors are brown, black and bay, but other colors, 
such as dun, chestnut and gray, are often found. Piebalds 
are not considered desirable, though there is a demand 
for broken colors in America. A long, heavy coat of 
hair occurs on the body in cold weather. When shed, 
however, the coat is fine and glossy and the animal is 
much more active in his movements. The foretop, mane, 
and tail are heavy and long, and add much to the attrac- 
tiveness of a well-kept pony. 

The Welsh pony. — This breed of ponies was largely 
developed in Wales and in the borders of the adjoining 
counties. The country is very hilly and contains much 
waste land, which provides very scant pasturage. The 
horses raised in such environment develop quality and 
eiidurance and become verv sure-footed, but, of course, 
lack in size. This breed of ponies has been improved 
from time to time by the introduction of superior blood, 
chiefly Thoroughbred, Arabian and Hackney. It is stated 
that the Welsh pony is more numerous than any other 
breed of ponies on the British Islands ; the exact number 
is not known, as there are no statistics on the subject. 

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society is the association in- 
terested in the improvement of the breed. This society 
has its headquarters at Greenfield, Penybout, Radnor- 
shire, Wales. At present there is no society in America. 

Description of the Welsh pony. — The ponies of Wales 
vary so widely in conformation, height and weight that 
even in their native country they are not altogether re- 
garded as a breed. In general, however, they have a neat 
head, good shoulders, strong back, well-muscled quarters, 
and the best of legs and feet. The Welsh Pony and Cob 
Society divides the ponies into four classes, depending 
largely on the height and form. In the first class the 



PONIES 229 

height does not exceed 12.2 hands, with any color per- 
missible. This class is found in the more hilly sections, 
and has superior bone, muscle and endurance. In type it 
resembles the Arabian, possessing much the same car- 
riage of head, neck and tail. In the second class the 
height ranges from 12.2 to 13.2 hands, but the type is more 
cobby in general appearance. This class lacks the action 
of the former and is not so well adapted to mountain 
lands. In the third class the height ranges from 13.2 to 
14.2 hands, and the type is even more blocky than the 
second class. In fact, this class would rank as a cob. In 




FIG. 119.— WELSH PONIES "QUEEN BEE" AND HER COLTS 

the fourth class the height ranges from 14.2 to 15.2 hands 
and the animals are described as being suitable for 
mounted infantry and cavalry service. 

The Welsh pony in America. — While these ponies have 
been used in America for many years, they are compar- 
atively few in number, although during recent years they 
have increased in popularity. The Welsh pony possesses 
more size, style and action than the Shetland, and is suited 
to either saddle or harness. The smaller strains are use- 
ful principally for children ; larger ones, because of their 
general activity and endurance, find favor for polo playing. 

The Exmoor pony. — This breed of ponies was de- 
veloped on the moors of southwestern England, in Devon- 
shire. The early origin is not known, but the Exmoor 
pony has been bred more or less wnld for many centuries. 



230 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



This breed has been classed as the highest type of pony. 
It has no doubt been greatly improved by the Arabian 
horse, which it closely resembles in conformation, as well 
as by the Thoroughbred. The improved form meets with 
favor as a saddler and in harness. Because of their ac- 
tivity and endurance they are useful in polo playing. 
There are but few Exmoor ponies in America. 




FIG. 120.— PONY SHOWING STYLE AND FINISH 

The Polo Pony Society Stud Book contains a descrip- 
tion of the Exmoor pony in which the average height is 
given as 12 hands, but W. C. Kerr, in his description, gives 
the height as 13 to 14 hands. The color is usually bay or 
brown, with black points. The head is neat and well 
carried, the forehead is broad, the nostrils large, the eyes 
clear and the ears pointed. The shoulders are long and 
sloping, the back short and powerful and the legs short, 
possessing good bone. The Exmoor pony has great en- 
durance and is surefooted. 

The New Forest pony. — This breed of ponies originated 
in southern England in the county of Hampshire, the 



PONIES 231 

greater part of which is unclaimed and waste land. As 
with the other breeds of ponies, the early origin is not 
known, but certain it is that they have been bred in a 
more or less wild state for many generations. It is stated 
that there are about 2,500 of these ponies. Like the other 
breeds of British ponies, the New Forest has been much 
improved in recent years. The breed owes much of its 
present perfection to Lord Arthur Cecil, who it is stated 
turns out with his mares 30 to 40 good stallions each year. 
Many of these stallions come from the Island of Rum, 
purchased by Lord Arthur in 1888. No doubt much of 
the recent improvement has been due to Arabian and 
Thoroughbred blood. 

The Polo Pony Society Stud Book gives the average 
height as 12 to 13 hands. Most of the Rum ponies are 
black, although some are bay or brown. These New 
Forest ponies are generally more spirited than most of 
the other British ponies. They have good shoulders, 
strong backs and excellent quarters, although sometimes 
criticized for being low at the withers and possessing a 
droopy rump and cow-hocked. Like all ponies that have 
been developed on scant nutrition, they improve under 
good management. 

A few years ago the New Forest Pony Association was 
organized to look after the interest of the breed in Eng- 
land. This breed has no organization in America. 

The Dartmoor pony. — This breed of ponies had its 
origin in Dartmoor, an extensive tract of land in Corn- 
wall, embracing about 325 square miles. Here ponies 
have been bred in a half-wild state for many generations, 
although in recent years they have been much improved 
by crossing with Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions. 
Dartmoor ponies are comparatively few in England and 
there are practically none in America. 

The Dartmoor pony is described as never exceeding 13 
hands in height. The official description states that if 
the height exceeds 14 hands it suggests cross-breeding. 



232 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The color is usually brown, black or bay, although an 
occasional gray will be found. In recent years efforts 
have been made to improve the Dartmoor by the intro- 
duction of good stallions of the best pony breeds. 

The Irish pony. — As the name suggests, this breed of 
ponies was developed in Ireland, particularly in Galway 
county, where ponies have been bred in a semi-wild state 
for generations. Like other breeds that run practically 
wild in a hilly country, it is hardy, active and sure-footed. 
It has been much improved by the use of Barb, Arab and 
Thoroughbred blood and in its present form stands 12 to 
14 hands high, sometimes more. The color is usually 
black, brown or bay, but chestnuts are often found. The 
Irish pony has a thick, shaggy coat of hair. 

The polo pony. — The increasing popularity of polo is 
attracting much attention to ponies suitable for playing 
this game. The polo pony is really not a pony, but a 
small horse. He does not necessarily belong to any dis- 
tinct breed, and is generally a cross. For this purpose 
any horse possessing the necessary speed, activity, en- 
durance and intelligence will do. He must be able to 
carry 160 to 200 pounds weight, make incessant turns, 
twists and stops at full speed, and make short spurts at 
the rapid gallop. The maximum height allowed by the 
American Polo Association is 14.2 hands. Small Thor- 
oughbreds, western ponies and cross breds are popular. 
Breeding polo ponies, however, is somewhat of an ex- 
periment and presents many difficulties, the chief one 
being the limit of height, and the training. 

Other ponies. — While the above breeds of ponies are 
more commonly known in America, yet distinct types of 
ponies are found in almost every country. Thus we have 
the Mongolian, Japanese, Korean, Burmese and Man- 
ipuri pony; the Sumatra and Java pony; and the Rus- 
sian, Scandinavian or Norwegian pony. Adverse climatic 
conditions, promiscuous breeding and privation have had 
much to do with the development of most of these ponies. 



CHAPTER XXII 
AMERICAN HORSES 

At the time of the Spanish conquest there were no 
horses, either wild or domesticated in any part of 
America. This seems astonishing considering the pre- 
dominance of the prehistoric horse, especially since the 
soil and climate are very favorable to the horse, as is 
evidenced by the thousands now roaming the plains of 
both North and South America. 

In this connection it should be stated that worthy evi- 
dence exists which some authorities state favors the as- 
sumption that herds of wild horses roamed over the 
pampas of South America, before latter-day communica- 
tion had begun between Europe and the New World. 
In 1527, when Cabot discovered the east coast of South 
America, it is stated that he found drawings representing 
the horse, and in his description of the upper reaches of 
the La Plata river, the horse is given with other animals 
which are known to have existed in that region. It is 
possible, therefore, that native horses ranged the plains 
now included in the territory of Argentine Republic and 
of Paraguay. Possibly these wild horses entered into the 
ancestry of the present stock. This is problematical, for 
certain it is the Indians of North America knew nothing 
of the horse previous to his acquaintance with the white 
man. 

Early importations of horses to America. — There are 
but few records of early importations of horses to 
America, although no doubt many found their way to the 
New World along with the first settlers. The first im- 
portation was made by Columbus in 1493, but these all 
perished. The next importation of which we have record 
was in 15 19, when Cortez landed 16 horses in Mexico. 

233 



234 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Possibly the feral horse of Mexico owes his origin to this 
importation. The next importation of which we have 
knowledge was in 1527, when De Vaca landed forty-two 
head in Florida. Possibly the feral horse of eastern 
United States owes his origin, in part at least, to the 
1527 importation. During this same year horses wxre 
landed in South America. Another noteworthy importa- 
tion occurred in 1540, when De Soto made his discoveries 
in the Mississippi valley. Possibly this importation 
added to the feral horses in southwestern United States. 

Colonial horse-breeding centers. — The early improve- 
ment of American horses was especially favored about 
certain centers, though, of course, more or less interest 
was taken in horse breeding- wherever the white man 
settled, as the horse proved a very useful beast of bur- 
den in the new country. The principal centers were 
Virginia, New York, New England and Canada. The 
characteristics of the horses, developed about each of 
these centers, were modified to a more or less extent by 
the habits of the people. 

The colonial horse of Virginia. — The first authentic 
importation to this colony occurred in 1609, when six 
mares and two stallions were brought from England. 
In 161 1, it is reported that 17 mares and horses were in- 
troduced along with other live stock. A third importa- 
tion occurred in 1614, but the number landed is not given. 
In 1619, the Virginia company imported four mares, and 
in 1620 this same company ordered 20 mares to be sent 
over at a cost, delivered, of £15 each. Many other im- 
portations followed. 

The early settlers of Virginia and the Carolinas were 
the cavaliers of old England. They were men who loved 
the horse. Long military training had taught many of 
them that a man wxll horsed had his battles half won. 
It is natural, therefore, on coming to the conquest of a 
new land, the men who had been mounted in their own 
land upon horses capable of carrying them at great speed 



AMERICAN HORSES 235 

and of maintaining such speed under difficulties for a 
great length of time, should want animals of such 
character to be their companions in the new country. Rac- 
ing was the popular sport from the beginning, thus a type 
of horse was developed patterned after the English Thor- 
oughbred. The height is given as ranging from 12 to 15 
hands; the carriage as lithe and active and the quality 
as unexcelled, as indicated by a clean-cut form, and clean 
legs with dense bone and detached tendons. Horses of 
this type later found their way north to New York and 



^- 






- ^^,w 










• . 




:M^. 




1 




'i 



FIG. 121.— AMERICAN SADDLER "CARROLL PRESTON" 

west to Kentucky, where they played an important part 
in the development of the American trotter, American 
saddler and the Thoroughbred. 

The colonial horse of New York. — The first authentic 
importation to New Amsterdam, as New York was then 
called, occurred about 1629, when several horses were 
introduced from Holland. There is a lack of definite in- 
formation regarding other early importations until the 
middle of the century, though many horses were intro- 
duced, as they had become numerous. 



236 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The early settlers of New Amsterdam were from Hol- 
land. They did their riding upon eumbersome animals 
more calculated to carry great burdens slowly than 
lighter ones with vim and dash. The Dutch settlers, 
therefore, introduced from Holland the ponderous animal 
of burden, rather than the prancing steed for which the 
Virginians were noted, thus a type of horse developed 
patterned somewhat after the drafter, although much 
lighter in weight. This type became known as the 
Conestoga. This comparatively light draft horse, bred 
primarily for freighting heavy merchandise across the 
mountains and over the primitive roads, was well adapted 
to the pioneer's farm, where such work required pa- 
tience, strength and hardiness. Horses of this type soon 
spread into Pennsylvania and westward, where they 
formed the blood of the mare stock that produced our 
grade draft horses. 

The colonial horse of New England. — In 1629 the Lon- 
don founders of the IMassachusetts Bay plantation landed 
25 head of mares and stallions at Boston harbor. Dur- 
ing this same year six mares and one stallion were landed 
at Salem. Several other shipments followed, but nothing 
worth special mention until 1635, when two Dutch ships 
arrived at Salem with 2y mares and three stallions. 
These were followed by numerous importations. 

The Puritan who settled New England was not a man 
for display. He was given to humility and to simple 
drudgeries, denying himself all indulgences. He was 
sturdy and reliant, asking the horse to share his bur- 
dens, thus a type of horse developed noted particularly 
for general utility. This type was larger than the Vir- 
ginian, more muscular and with greater weight of bone, 
but not the equal of the Conestoga in either size or 
strength. This type was spread through all New Eng- 
land, where it was perfectly adapted to conditions. It 
played an important part in the formation of the Morgan 
strain of horses, which, in turn, entered into the develop- 



AMERICAN HORSES 



237 



ment of both the American trotter and the American 
saddler. 

The early Canadian horse. — While it seems certain that 
horses were introduced from France to Port Royal as 
early as 1609, yet this settlement played no part in the 
distribution of the Canadian horse. The next notable 
authentic importation did not occur until after the mid- 
dle of the century, when Marquis de Tracy arrived at 




FIG. 122.— STANDARDBRED STALLION "GAY AUDOBON' 



Quebec with his expedition including a large number of 
horses. Other large shipments followed. 

Since the St. Lawrence region was largely settled by 
the French, who were at that time breeding medium 
weight horses, we find them developing a type of semi- 
draft horses in Canada, although later many light horses 
were introduced, so that the region became famous for 
two types of horses, one fashioned after the Thorough- 
bred, the other after the drafter, though lacking the pon- 



238 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

derous size of the present day draft horse. It is worthy 
mention that in the acclimation the Thoroughbred lost 
some of his speed as well as the drafter his size, but both 
gained in hardiness and endurance. Because of the speed 
and endurance the light type became widespread, many 
of the horses finding their way to New York and Ken- 
tucky, where they entered into the formation of the 
American trotter and the American saddler. 

While the eastern colonies and the eastern central and 
southern states were being settled and populated, the 
horses that had escaped from the Cortez expedition of 
15 19 in Mexico and from the De Soto expedition of 1540 
in the Mississippi valley and perhaps others, were mul- 
tiplying rapidly in Mexico and southwestern United 
States, due to the very nutritious foods available, and to 
the favorable climatic conditions. 

The Indian pony. — This is the name given the feral 
ponies in western United States. They are not a dis- 
tinct breed. Certain it is, however, that they have 
roamed the plains for so many generations that their 
characters have become sufficiently fixed to be trans- 
mitted from parent to offspring, and, in fact, they have 
become perfectly adapted to the environment. 

Mustang, Broncho and Cayiise. — The Indian pony is 
often designated by various names common to particular 
localities. Thus in the South he is known as the Mus- 
tang; in the West as the Broncho; and in the North as 
the Cayuse. Because of the great endurance, the Indian 
pony has been very useful on the ranges, particularly in 
herding cattle. In recent years this strain has been much 
improved by crossing with the Arabian, Thoroughbred 
and American trotter. In his improved form, the Indian 
pony is useful wherever hardy, active and enduring 
horses are needed. 

Description of the Indian pony. — In size the Indian 
pony averages 12 to 14 hands high and weighs 600 to 800 
pounds. All colors are found, but duns are perhaps the 



AMERICAN HORSES 239 

more common. The head is often large and bony, the 
barrel short and closely ribbed, the legs strong and cordy, 
and the feet excellent. The disposition has been much 
criticized, but this is largely a matter of training. As a 
rule, the tame ponies range the South, and the wild ones 
the North. 

The Mexican pony. — This strain of pony was de- 
veloped in Mexico, where it has ranged in a wild and 
semi-wild state for many generations. The Mexican 
pony is similar to the Indian pony in all important re- 
spects. In size the Mexican is perhaps the smaller, aver- 
aging 12 to 13 hands in height, and weighing 500 to 800 
pounds. The color, conformation and quality are much 
the same in the two strains. In recent years the Mexican 
pony has been improved by crossing with the Thorough- 
bred, the Arabian, and the American trotter with a view 
to increasing the usefulness as cow ponies. The best 
of both types are sometimes used as polo ponies, which 
usually requires more than one cross. 



CHAPTER XXIII 
THE DOMESTIC ASS 

The domestic ass is commonly known as the jack or 
the donkey, although the latter is often restricted to the 
smaller species, as the burro. The male is usually desig- 
nated as jack or jackass and the female as jennet. 

Species of the ass. — There are several species or varie- 
ties of the w^ild ass found in various parts of Asia and 
Africa, two of which are worthy of mention, namely, the 
Asiatic wild ass and the African wild ass. 

The Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus). — This species 
is found in Asia, from the plains of Syria through Persia, 
Afghanistan and Thibet to the Chinese frontier. As a 
rule, it travels in small herds. The color varies some- 
what, though gray, fawn and pale chestnut are the most 
common. The belly is of a whitish color. This species 
is notable for its speed and endurance. The height 
varies from 1 1 to 12 hands. 

The African wild ass (Equus asinus). — This species is 
found most numerous in Nubia, Abyssinia, and in north- 
eastern Africa, between the Nile and the Red Sea. It is 
assumed that the domestic ass descended from this 
species. The color markings, the ears, and the cry or 
bray are similar to the domestic ass. It is stated also, 
that this species dislikes streams of water, dark holes 
and the like — notable traits of the domestic ass. 

Early history of the ass. — This animal was used as 
man's beast of burden at the dawn of authentic history. 
From the evidence it seems that the early people appro- 
priated to their use those things which lay easiest at 
hand and from this it has been assumed that the wild ass 
easily passed into a state of domestication. Little at- 
tention was given to improvement until modern times. 

240 



THE DOMESTIC ASS 



241 



Breeds of the domestic ass. — As with the horse, the dis- 
tribution of the ass has been widespread and he has been 
subject to variation in food supply, temperature, moisture 
and general environment, with the result that many 
breeds or varieties have been developed. These breeds 
vary in size, ranging from the diminutive burro, often 
only 36 inches high, to the medium-sized draft horse. 
Of the large number of breeds only six are useful for 




FIG. 123.— BURRO AT WORK 



mule breeding in America, namely, the Andalusian, Mal- 
tese, Catalonian, Majorca, Italian and Poitou. 

The Andalusian jack. — This breed was developed in 
southern Spain, particularly in the ancient Kingdom of 
Andalusia. It is a very ancient and distinctive race, as is 
evidenced by the statements of the profits arising from 
its use in propagating mules during the Roman occupa- 
tion and before the time of Christ. The prevailing color 
is gray, and often practically white, with black very 
uncommon. This is a large breed, standing 14.2 to 15.2 



242 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

hands high. The bone of the leg is large and firm and 
the breed possesses much substance. 

The Andalusian in America. — In 1787 the King of Spain 
presented to General George Washington a jack and a 
jennet of this breed, which were taken to Virginia. The 
jack was called Royal Gift. About the same time General 
Washington received a Maltese jack, which he mated 
with the Andalusian jennet. The result of this union 
was a very famous jack called Compound, which proved 
to be much more popular as a breeder than Royal Gift, 
although the latter was selected from the royal stud. A 
few years later Henry Clay introduced into Kentucky a 
few jacks of this breed. These two men did much to 
promote the breed in America. Notwithstanding their 
influence, however, this breed never found favor in this 
country, due largely to the gray color, which is very ob- 
jectionable in America, although a great favorite in 
southern Spain. 

The Maltese jack. — This breed was developed on the 
Island of Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean 
Sea. This being a small island, with very poor soil, the 
number of jacks produced is exceedingly limited. The 
Maltese jack is the smallest of the more important Span- 
ish breeds, rarely exceeding 14.2 hands high. The color 
is black or brown, with the latter more characteristic of 
the breed. The breed is described as of good form with 
well-carried head and ears. The bone resembles that of 
the Thoroughbred horse, and the breed is characterized 
by much life and vigor. 

The Maltese in America. — About 1787, Marquis La- 
fayette and the Knight of Malta each presented General 
Washington a jack of this breed. It was the present by 
Lafayette that sired the famous Compound. It is also 
stated that the frigate Constitution, during her first 
cruise in the Mediterranean, imported jacks from Malta 
to the District of Columbia. Not long afterwards others 
were introduced by officers of the navy, and a few very 



THE DOMESTIC ASS 



243 



valuable ones were brought over in merchant's ships. 
Formerly the Maltese jacks wqtq broadspread, but in re- 
cent years they have become rather unpopular because 
of their small size. 

The Catalonian jack. — This breed was developed in 
northeastern Spain adjacent to France, particularly in 
Catalonia, although it 
is widespread and often 
found in France. The 
color is usually black, 
and often jet-black, 
which is marked with 
light points about the 
muzzle, eyes and belly. 
While brown of vary- 
ing shades is some- 
times found, it is un- 
common. The hair is 
naturally thick and 
short. The size is 
classed as large, the 
height averaging 14.2 
to 15 hands, with good 
specimens occasionally 
exceeding this height. 
The Catalonian is a jack 
of great style and 

beauty and superb action. The head is trim and neat, 
with ears well carried, suggestive of character. The 
bone, while not large, is very hard, fine of texture, and 
free from meatiness. The breed is wiry, tough and ma- 
tures early. 

The Catalonian in America. — In 1832, Henry Clay in- 
troduced an excellent specimen of this breed to Ken- 
tucky. This jack was so successful and his popularity 
grew so rapidly that Clay imported a number of others 
of this breed. At an early date a few jacks of this breed 




Fig, 124. — Catalonian Jack 



244 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

found their way to Virginia, where they were received 
favorably. Long before the Civil War, Benjamin Frank- 
lin and others made importations to middle Tennessee 
and to Charleston, South Carolina. Since the war, a 
large number have been brought to this country, es- 
pecially to Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, the prin- 
cipal mule-breeding states of the Union. Mules sired by 
the Catalonian jacks have much size and quality, and 
have been ranked as the best in the world. They are stylish, 
active, early maturing and good sellers. A large percentage 
of the jacks imported to America come from Catalonia. 

The Majorca jack. — This breed is a native of Majorca, 
one of the Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea, off 
the coast of Spain. The soil is very fertile, and though 
it is necessary to irrigate much of the island, it is very 
productive of rich, luxuriant pastures. This, no doubt, 
accounts for the size of the Majorca, which is the largest 
of the domesticated asses, ranging in height from 15.2 to 
16 hands, and even more. The head and ears are de- 
scribed as conspicuously large, the latter being larger 
than those of any other breed and poorly carried. The 
bone is exceedingly large, with a body to correspond. 
There is a general coarseness throughout, as well as a 
lack of the indications of sufficient quality. Because of 
the enormous size and poor quality the Majorca lacks in 
style and action, and, in fact, is often criticized as inclined 
to sluggishness. In its native home it has long been bred 
with much purity and large numbers are used in the 
government artillery service. It is usually black or brown. 

The Majorca in America. — There is no authentic data 
as to the first importations, though they were introduced 
about the middle of the nineteenth century. Formerly 
the breed was popular, because of its large size and good 
color, and many were introduced, but it is not destined to 
attract favorable comment in this country because of the 
general coarseness, lack of quality and sluggishness. 

The Italian jack. — This breed is a native of Italy, where 



THE DOMESTIC ASS 



245 



its distribution is widespread, although little attention is 
given to its breeding. Its principal use is that of a pack 
animal. The color is usually black, but bluish and gray- 
ish colors are not uncommon. In size the Italian jack 
is among the smallest, rarely exceeding 13 or 14 hands. 
Considering the height, these jacks have rather large 
bone and good weight of body. They are well propor- 
tioned and have good action. 

The Italian in America. — As with the Majorca, there is 
no record of the first 
importations although 
jacks of this breed very 
early found their way 
to Tennessee and other 
mule-producing states. 
The chief cause for 
their early introduc- 
tion is said to have 
been their cheapness. 
They did not meet with 
favor in America, prin- 
cipally because of the 
small size, although 
they have also been 
criticized as being 

prone to serve a mare, and as having a tendency to 
viciousness. L. M. Knight, who has written much on 
jacks, jennets and mules, states that it is his observation 
that small jacks are more likely to develop vicious habits 
than large ones, and he also adds that jacks are not trust- 
worthy animals. 

The Poitou jack. — This breed was developed in south- 
ern France, especially in the province of Poitou, border- 
ing on the Bay of Biscay. Here, in the departments of 
La Vendee and Deux-Sevres, the most fertile part of 
all Frknce, the Poitou ass is bred in his greatest purity. 
This is a very old breed, as mention is made of it as early 




Fig. 125. — Prize Jack "Dr. Hartman' 



246 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

as 1016 in French literature. The prevailing color is 
black, with light points, although grays are occasionally 
found. The height ranges from 14.2 to 15 hands, with the 
larger specimens sometimes standing somewhat taller. 
The Poitou is one of the most powerful of the breeds of 
jacks. He is covered with a thick growth of long, silky 
hair, which is particularly noticeable in the legs, neck 
and ears. For this reason he is very unattractive unless 
kept well groomed. These jacks are in great demand in 
France, where they are bred to draft mares, from which 
are produced large mules of the most valuable kind. 

The Poitou in America. — This was the last of the dis- 
tinctive breeds of jacks to be introduced to this country. 
Notwithstanding this breed of jacks produces a good 
type of mules, few are to be found here. In fact, the 
province of Poitou cannot supply the home demand for 
the Poitou jack, and the French breeders, at least in cer- 
tain parts of the county, are obliged to use the Catalonia 
and the Majorca jack. Because of the great demand, 
Poitou jacks command fancy prices, many selling for 
$2,000, with the best specimens realizing approximately 
twice as much money. According to Knight, the Poitou 
jack is the best for mule breeding in this country, and he 
places it above the Catalonian, stating that the mules 
have sufficient size, with more quality and action than 
can be obtained by any other breed of jacks. 

The characteristics of the ass. — The domestic ass pre- 
sents a great contrast to the horse. In the ass, the head 
is large and bony, the ears very long, the foretop and 
mane very scanty and the tail has no long hairs except 
at the lower part. The entire body is often covered with 
long hair. The bone is often large, while the joints and 
feet are small. The hind legs have no callosities (chest- 
nuts), although they are present on the forelegs. The 
ass makes a peculiar cry called a bray. 

Jacks useful for mule breeding. — This animal is very 
surefooted in going over mountain passes and slopes dif- 



THE DOMESTIC ASS 



247 



ficult for horses, and hence extremely useful as a pack 
animal, in which capacity it was formerly used almost 
exclusively. While it is still useful as a pack, in mining 
regions, in difficult passes, and the like, yet its major use 
in America is that of siring mules. Since it is the larger 
mules that are the 
more useful and 
command a premium 
on the market, only 
jacks of considerable 
size should be used 
in mule breeding. 
The rules of entry 
to the American 
Jack Stock Stud 
Book on the subject 
of height and color, 
are as follows : After 
January i, 1892, 
jacks and jennets, of 
unrecorded sire or 
dam, shall be eligible 
to registration only 

when black with light points and of the following height, 
standard measure: Imported jacks and jennets, and na- 
tive jennets, the produce of unrecorded sire or dam, 15 
hands; native jacks, the produce of unrecorded sire or 
dam, 15.2 hands. From this it would seem that for best 
results in mule breeding the jack should stand approxi- 
mately 15.2 hands high and be black with light points. 
The temperament, quality, style and action should also 
be considered, as these will be reflected in the offspring. 
Organizations and records.— In 1888, the American 
Breeders' Association of Jacks and Jennets was organ- 
ized as a stock company and a stud book established, of 
which several volumes have been published. In France 
an association for registering jacks and jennets also exists. 




Fig. 126. — Prize Jack "General Wood' 



CHAPTER XXIV 
THE MULE 

While England, France, Belgium, Germany and Spain 
have developed most of the breeds of horses and jacks, it 
has been left for America to prove the usefulness of the 
mule-. It seems strange that these older countries should 
have given mule breeding so little attention, particularly 
in view of the animal's usefulness. The only excuse for 
this neglect is that the producing of a mule removes the 
opportunity of raising a horse. 

The mule a hybrid. — The mule is not a true breed, but 
is a hybrid, the result of a cross between a jack and a 
mare. As is usually the case, where two species are 
crossed, the mule is sterile and will not breed. The 
sexual organs are supposed to be incomplete, although 
several cases are on record where mare mules have con- 
ceived and produced young. These are remarkable 
cases, however, and are not accepted as authentic by 
most scientists. 

The history of the mule. — We have no reliable data as 
to when the first mules were raised, although they have 
been used more or less since the time of Christ, and per- 
haps even before. The literature of ancient Rome and 
Greece makes frequent reference to the mule, in which he 
seems to have served various purposes. While the mule 
seems to have served a useful purpose since very early 
times, it is only in recent years that his true value has 
been appreciated. 

The mule in America. — From the time that the King 
of Spain presented General George Washington with an 
Andalusian jack until the present, mule breeding has had 
a steady and rapid growth in America. In fact, mules 
were bred in this country as early as the sixteenth cen- 



THE MULE 



249 



tury. Notwithstanding ours is one of the newest coun- 
tries in the world, it was left to us to establish the true 
economic value of the mule. At present more than one- 
half of all the mules in the world are to be found in the 
United States. This recognition of the value of the mule 
is very largely due to the intelligence of our Southerners, 
who were the first to adapt him to general purposes. 

The characteristics of the mule. — Like all other 
animals, the mule inherits qualities from both sire and 
dam. Thus the mule differs from the horse. The head 
is larger and more clearly de- 
fined; the ears are longer; the 
foretop, mane and tail tufted ; 
the body smaller and more 
cylindrical; the quarters not 
so heavily muscled, although, 
considering size, the mule is 
equally as strong, if, indeed, he 
is not more powerful than the 
horse; the legs are superior in 
quality; and the feet of the 
mule are smaller and longer 
than those of the horse, with 
.the arch of the hoof greater. 

The mule is exceedingly vari- 
able in size and weight, depending on the parentage. On 
the market mules are divided into classes according to 
their size and the work they are capable of performing 
(p. 320). 

While the color is exceedingly variable, black, brown 
and bay, with light points, are the most popular. The 
color is a very important consideration in America, there- 
fore, blue, gray, white, buckskin, yellow and like colors 
are objectionable. In temperament, the mule is quiet and 
patient. He is less nervous, less subject to fright, and 
more certain than the horse. For hard pulling and steadi- 
ness in the collar he has no equal in the world. The 




250 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



temperament of the mule has been a subject for much 
unjust criticism, for when properly handled he is among 
the coolest of animals. 

The endurance of the mule. — In this respect the mule 
is superior to the horse. It is often true -of hybrids that 
they are more resistant than either parent. For long, 
hard journeys through semi-desert regions, over moun- 
tains, precipices and through difficult passes the mule is 
preferred to the horse. Mules usually live longer than 
horses and their period of usefulness is much greater. 

Wallace gives 
the mule the fol- 
lowing advan- 
tages over the 
horse : Not par- 
ticular as to the 
quality of the 
food; more 
surefooted and 
not nearly so 
liable to fall ; 
less liable to 
become lame ; 
more pluck and 
per severance ; 
walk faster ; 
pull steadier; and in competition with a horse of equal 
weight the mule will accomplish more work. 

Resistance of mule to disease. — Unlike the horse, the 
mule will seldom eat more than is good for him, even 
though the food be placed before him. Thus the mule 
very largely escapes all diseases caused by overfeeding, 
which often proves fatal to the horse. The legs and feet 
of the mule are less subject to disease than in the horse, 
although ringbone, sidebone, spavin and like troubles do 
occur. In most contagious and infectious diseases the 
mule is perhaps no more resistant than the horse. 




Fig. 127. — Span of Prize Mules 



THE MULE 251 

Uses of the mule. — As a working animal, the mule's 
adaptability is almost universal. He is unaffected by the 
climate, working equally as well in the cold, in the hot, 
in the moist, and in the dry climate. He serves his mas- 
ter in any capacity — as a pack animal, under the saddle, 
and in harness, both light and heavy. He is found wher- 
ever man needs a beast to help bear his burdens. The 
mule's docility and coolheadedness, as well as his resist- 
ance to disease, especially those resulting from over- 
feeding, make him a very desirable animal when ignorant 
and careless workmen must be relied upon. 

Distribution of the mule. — While more than one-half 
of the mules in the world are found in the United States, 
yet these animals enjoy a widespread distribution. This 
is due in a large measure to their general adaptability. 
They find especial favor in Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, 
and Africa. Mules are found in every state in the Union, 
but more especially in the southern states. Kentucky 
and Tennessee have been noted for producing mules of 
quality for more than a century. Missouri also has long 
been noted for the production of mules of quality. To 
these states many fine jacks have gone, and from them 
in turn many fine mules have been sold. St. Louis is the 
leading mule market of the world. At this market thou- 
sands of mules are purchased by the various govern- 
ments for military purposes. 

Organizations and records. — As mules do not breed 
there is no association promoting their interests as such, 
although the American Breeders' Association of Jacks 
and Jennets, which was organized as a stock company in 
1888, has the welfare of this animal in hand. This is 
because the jack is used almost exclusively to sire mules, 
and it is to the interest of jack breeders and importers 
to strive for progress in mule breeding. 



CHAPTER XXV 
PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 

The development of the various breeds of horses dates 
back to the middle of the eighteenth century. About 
1760, Robert Bakewell assumed the management of the 
estate on which his father and grandfather had resided 
at Dishley Grange, Leicestershire, England. Yoimg 
Bakewell conceived the idea that he had only to select 
the most valuable strains, such as promised the greatest 
returns to the breeder, and that he should then, by care- 
ful attention to progressive improvement, be able to 
produce a breed from which he could derive the maxi- 
mum advantage. He made excursions into different 
parts of England, in order to inspect the different breeds 
and to select those best adapted to his purpose. In this 
study Bakewell separated the characters of form, func- 
tion, quality, as well as propensity to fatten, consider- 
ing them as his units of selection. Thus Bakewell recog- 
nized the two cardinal principles of animal improvement 
■ — similar produces similar, and the form bears a close 
relationship to the function — based upon which he orig- 
inated a system which has resulted in the development 
of our specialized breeds of horses. 

VARIATION IN HORSES 

Variation is the basis of improvement among all farm 
animals. If characters were absolutely fixed and un- 
changeable, then no improvement could be secured. The 
size of the draft horse could neither be increased nor 
diminished, and the speed of the trotter would remain 
constant from generation to generation. Thus the off- 
spring would be no better, or poorer, than the parent. 

252 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 253 

Frequency of variation. — Among farm animals, varia- 
tion is universal. No two horses are alike. To those 
unfamiliar with horses, one animal of a well-matched 
team may look exactly like the other, yet the trained eye 
will readily recognize differences, and can describe each 
animal so that those with equal training may recognize 
it. These differences involve all characters. Two horses 
of the same breed may differ widely in conformation and 
carriage, particularly of the neck and tail, in color, qual- 
ity, action, and the like. 

Kinds of variation. — There are four kinds of variation 
— quantitative, qualitative, functional and deviation from 
the common pattern. Quantitative variation has to do 
with size, and is one of degree only. This is the simplest 
form of variation and is very common. Two horses of 
the same breed, one may be large, the other small; or 
on the same animal one foot may be larger than the 
others; and, in like manner, all characters may vary in 
size. Qualitative variation has to do with quality only, 
and is distinct from size. Evidences of this are also 
abundant, the quality of no two horses being alike, as 
one may have a coarser, rougher hair and a thicker hide. 

Functional variation has to do with functions only, and 
is distinct from either size or quality. It has reference 
to the activity of the various organs and parts of the 
body, such as muscular activity, glandular secretions, and 
the like. Evidences of this are common, as some horses 
walk faster than others, and some trot faster, while still 
others pull heavier loads. Deviation from the common 
pattern has reference to the irregular appearance of re-' 
peated parts, such as extra toes, extra teats, and the like. 
This class of variation is seldom observed among horses, 
but is common among plants, such as the stooling of 
corn, wheat and oats, as well as the doubling up of 
flowers. 

Principal causes of variation. — Since variation plays 
so important a part in improvement, it is of interest to 



254 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



note the conditions that produce it, particularly since by 
modifying these conditions, we can aid in producing 
variation in a desired direction. Thus, if we wish to 
increase the size of the horse, the conditions that cause 
the animal to vary in that direction are of interest and 
should be well understood. In horse breeding the prin- 
cipal causes of variation are the environment, crossing 
and use. 

Environment. — By this term is meant the surroundings 

of the animal. The 
chief factors of en- 
vironment, through 
which we seek to 
improve our horses, 
are those of climate, 
food and care. 

The climate is of 
interest largely as it 
controls the food 
supply, although it 
does affect the ex- 
ternal coat to some 
extent. When the 
horse is exposed to 
cold, damp weather, 
the hair becomes longer and thicker than if protected. 
The natural effect of the climate is modified by housing, 
and we can move the horse from one climate to another 
without serious results. 

No single factor influences development to a greater 
extent than the food supply. Full feeding increases the 
size and the constitutional vigor, while withholding the 
food not only arrests growth, but weakens the capacity 
for future development as well. In order to secure in- 
creased development of all the organs, the animals must 
be supplied with more food than is required for the per- 
formance of the normal function. 




12S.^Percheron Stallion "Galea' 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 255 

The care that the horse receives has a molding influ- 
ence upon the variation he is likely to undergo. The 
animal that is well cared for — that is, properly housed, 
fed, watered, exercised, groomed, and the like — cannot 
fail to respond to such treatment. Many persons have 
fallen short of success in horse breeding by depending 
upon blood alone for improvement. They have for- 
gotten that all of our improved breeds are the product of 
adequate nutrition, combined with intelligent breeding, 
suitable environment and kindly care. 

Crossing. — The mating of dissimilar animals is a prime 
cause of variation. Up to the time of Bakewell, cross- 
breeding was a favorite method of seeking improvement. 
Previous to this time crossing was made easy from the 
fact that no record of breeding was kept. It was ob- 
served that mating two animals reared under different 
conditions, resulted in increased size, more vigor and 
greater prolificacy. While this system of breeding ren- 
dered valuable service in the formation of new breeds it 
must be remembered that the cross-bred animal does not 
breed true in general characters; in fact, he has nothing 
to breed true to, as his parents were unlike. While cross- 
ing, such as the mating of two animals from different 
breeds, is a course of much variation, the results are 
usually disappointing in the end. 

Use. — It is well known that use stimulates and disuse 
dwarfs development. Examples of the beneficial effect 
of exercise are common. Athletes train and musicians 
practice for many hours each day that they may become 
skilled. Horses intended for racing are trained from 
colthood in order to make the most of any natural ability 
to trot or run. Thus, use and disuse become important 
factors in causing variation. 

SELECTION IN HORSE BREEDING 

In establishing or creating a type, selection plays an 
all-important part, as it enables us to encourage the 



256 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



production of those animals that meet the demand and 
to prevent, in part at least, the production of undesir- 
able individuals. In selecting horses for breeding pur- 
poses, there are three important factors to be considered : 
First, the individual merit, or the perfection of the animal 
as a representative of its race, type or breed ; second, the 
pedigree, or the purity of the ancestry and the probable 
capacity of the individual to reproduce itself or to show 




FIG. 129.— BELGIAN MARE "ELEQUANTE" 



improvement; and, third, the suitability of the two in- 
dividuals to be mated. 

Individuality. — In breeding horses the perfection of 
the animals selected should be carefully considered. Oc- 
casionally we give too little attention to this and select 
breeding animals on the basis of their pedigree. Such 
practice may prove disappointing, as many inferior in- 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 257 

dividuals are recorded, because such animals command a 
good price on the market. In choosing breeding horses 
each animal should be closely inspected and only superior 
individuals placed in the stud. 

Pedigree. — The purity of the ancestry is an important 
factor in choosing breeding animals, as the capacity of a 
horse to produce superior offspring will depend largely 
upon his ancestors. It is often a question which should 
receive the more attention, the individual merit or the 
pedigree. There are four possible conditions that should 
always be borne in mind : First, the offspring of a superior 
individual with a good pedigree is likely to possess merit ; 
second, the offspring of an inferior individual with a good 
pedigree may possess merit; third, the offspring of a 
superior individual with a poor pedigree is likely to be 
inferior in merit; and, fourth, in all probability the off- 
spring of an inferior individual with a poor pedigree will 
be distinctly inferior. 

Formerly we associated great length of pedigree with 
breeding quality, but the present evidence goes to show 
that it is the immediate ancestors that are of most im- 
portance. Galton, in his "Law of Ancestral Heredity,^' 
sets forth the idea that one-half of the full heritage comes 
from the parents ; one-fourth from the grandparents, and 
so on to infinity. This being true, an offspring will pro- 
cure seven-eighths of its full heritage from the three 
nearest generations of ancestors. 

In selecting breeding horses, the performance, when 
available, as in race horses, should be considered, as it 
affords valuable information as to what the offspring will 
probably be like. A good example of this is seen in the 
speed reduction table where the record time was reduced 
from 2.48;^ to i.SSH in one century (p. 130). 

Mating. — Two animals, to be suitable for mating, 
should be as nearly alike in general characters as it is 
possible to select, otherwise the outcome of a union can- 
aiot be foretold. Since, as we have already seen, no two 



258 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

horses are alike, we are obliged to strike an average 
between the characters of the parent and what we desire 
to get in the offspring. When the offspring shows good 
qualities the mating is considered a fortunate nick; when 
there is no resemblance to either parent, but to some near 
ancestor, it is called atavism; and if to some of the far- 
removed ancestors, it is called reversion, although these 
terms are often used interchangeably. The success of a 
horse breeder often depends upon his ability to mate the 
animals properly. Some persons become very skilled in 
such matters. 

HEREDITY 

There are two great forces underlying all breeding 
operations : First, similar tending to beget similar, which 
has to do with heredity; and, second, the great run of 
variation through which improvement is sought. On 
heredity, or the extent to which variations are trans- 
mitted or passed down from parent to offspring, all suc- 
cessful breeding operations depend. Variations that are 
not transmitted are of no importance in breeding, though 
they may be of consequence to the animal possessing 
them. While the transmission of variation is a much- 
discussed question, practical animal breeders work on 
the supposition that such is the case. Horse breeders 
believe that: If high-class trotters are to be produced, 
they must mate animals that can trot fast; that, if high 
acting horses are desired, high actors must be united ; 
and that if heavy horses are wanted, then horses of 
weight must be mated. 

Prepotency. — There is variation among parents in their 
power to stamp characters upon the offspring. When 
the offspring resembles one parent more than the other, 
the one transmitting its characters is said to be pre- 
potent over the other parent. Thus prepotency becomes 
of importance in improvement, and the influences that 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 259 

tend to produce it in the individual are worthy note. 
While many of the factors that influence prepotency are 
little understood, those that do aid and are under the con- 
trol of man are : First, purity of breeding, which makes 
for stability. The introduction of outside blood lessens 
the stability and the certainty of transmission. Second, 
strong constitutional development, which strengthens the 
characters ; and, third, in-breeding, which aids pre- 
potency, as it strengthens dominant characters. 

In breeding horses the prepotency of the male is given 
more consideration than the female. This is due to the 
fact that the sire is the parent of more individuals than 
the dam, and not to individual resemblance. This is 
fortunate, as improvement can be more cheaply secured 
through a good sire from the mere fact that he is repre- 
sented in more progeny. 

Fertility. — The number of offspring produced by horses 
of either sex varies greatly. Some mares fail to breed at 
all, some breed once and go barren, and some breed every 
other year; while others breed with much regularity. 
The English Thoroughbred mare Pocahontas produced 
fifteen living foals and lived to the age of 33 years, while 
Old Fanny Cook also produced fifteen, the last one in the 
twenty-ninth year of her life. Stallions vary likewise, 
some producing a very low percentage, while others are 
almost fully fertile. The^ Standardbred stallion, Gam- 
betta Wilkes, has 229 standard performers, and Allerton 
has 246, while there are 10 that have over 150 (p. 120). 
In these cases, however, much depended upon the oppor- 
tunity, as the better the sire the better the class of dams 
offered, and hence the better the offspring, all of which 
leads to still further opportunities. 

Sterility. — Perhaps the horse breeder's greatest diffi- 
culty is the failure of his animals to breed freely. The 
causes which lead to sterility are many, some of which 
are understood and more or less preventable, while others 
9,re little known and perhaps beyond control. Some q{ 



26o MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the known causes are: Confinement and lack of exer- 
cise; irregular supply of food; food lacking the proper 
nutrients ; animals in too fat a condition ; in-breeding ; 
excessive breeding; and the like. To lessen sterility, we 
should avoid all causes likely to produce it. 

Sire and dam. — The relative influence of the parents 
is a much-discussed question, and all kinds of statements 
are made concerning the influence that each parent exerts 
on the offspring. So far as is known, however, the 
parents play an equal part in their control of the char- 
acters of the offspring. This, of course, is aside from the 
question of prepotency, discussed above, and in which 
either parent is likely to dominate over the other. 

SYSTEMS OF BREEDING 

The system of breeding to be employed in raising 
horses will depend on the purpose and circumstances of 
the breeder. If the object is the production of pure-bred 
animals the system employed may differ from that used 
in raising horses for the market. The circumstance of 
the breeder may modify the system, as he may be so situ- 
ated as to make it practically essential for him to employ 
a given method. 

Grading. — The mating of unimproved animals with 
those more highly improved is perhaps the most common 
system of breeding. Usually the improved parent is the 
sire and the unimproved one the dam. This is the safest 
for beginners, as it is cheap. If a worthy pure-bred sire 
is used improvement follows rapidly. The first genera- 
tion of offspring is half pure, the second three-fourths 
and the third seven-eighths, and so on. By continuing 
this grading process, selecting the best mares as breed- 
ers, it is entirely possible and by no means difficult, to 
produce animals equal to pure breds in the production 
of work. In view of the ease with which improvement 
can be obtained by this method it is surprising that ouj 
iiorse stock does not improve more rapidly. 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 



261 



Crossing. — Because of the strong tendency to produce 
variation, crossing is seldom employed as a system of 
breeding horses. The crossing of breeds results in the 
production of nondescript offspring, that lack in efficiency 
and that fail to command a remunerative price when 
placed on the market. Attention is directed to crossing 
as a system of breeding, largely because it is the method 
employed in breeding mules, the offspring of a jack and 
a mare; as well as the hinny, the offspring of a jennet 
and a stallion. It is interesting to note that the mule 
more nearly resembles the jack, while the hinny resem- 
bles the stallion. This 
has given rise to the 
statement that the off- 
spring resembles the 
sire in external char- 
acters and the dam in 
the internal characters. 

Gregor Mendel 
crossed a number of 
plants and studied the 
inheritance of contrast- 
ing characters in the 
hybrids. By pairing 
certain characters, as 
color, form, and the 
like, he discovered that 

hybrid parents produced offspring of which one-half were 
again hybrids; while one-quarter were pure to each of 
the original parent forms. This is called "Mendel's Law 
of Hybrids," and through its application plant breeders 
are able to transfer certain characters from one group of 
plants to another. This promises a great field of useful- 
ness among plants and the law is receiving universal at- 
tention, although it is little used by horse breeders. 

Line-breeding. — When animals of a single line of 
.descent are m.at^d the system is called line-breeding. It 




Fig. 130. — American Saddle Mare 



2^2 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

combines animals similar in their characteristics, narrows 
the pedigree to a few and closely related lines of descent 
and thus gives stability to the strain or breed. This sys- 
tem secures uniformity and increases the prepotency 
among horses, but it must be remembered that it acts on 
good and bad characters equally, and, therefore, necessi- 
tates vigilance in selecting breeding animals. 

In-breeding. — When animals closely related are united 
the system is called in-breeding or in-and-in-breeding. 
This is line-breeding carried to its limits, and conse- 
quently it intensifies all the advantages and disadvan- 
tages of that system of breeding. This system was first 
employed by Robert Bakewell, who shocked the modest 
people of his time by mating the animals that possessed 
the characters he wished to propagate without regard to 
relationship. Since his time it has been successfully em- 
ployed by many breeders and many of our breeds of farm 
animals owe their early origin to this system. 

Breeding from the best. — The feasibility of this system 
will depend on the situation. If a pure-bred sire is mated 
with common grade mares due consideration should be 
given the characteristics of each, as unsatisfactory re- 
sults would probably follow uniting animals of widely 
differing characters. The suitability of the animals to be 
mated should be recognized as well as the perfection of 
the individuals, otherwise one will soon find himself in 
possession of animals varying in all essential character- 
istics. For the beginner, however, and until he learns 
the attributes of the animals with which he is working it 
is perhaps safest to recommend the system of breeding 
from the best, as it is likely to result in the production of 
good individuals even though they lack in uniformity. 



CHAPTER XXVI 
PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 

The average farmer has constant use for his horses 
approximately one-half of the year, during which time 
they are often overworked because of insufficient horse 
power. The remainder of the year the cost of maintain- 
ing the animals often exceeds the value of their services. 
This is likely to be the case on farms where horses are 
kept simply for the work they can do. On the other 
hand, there are many very successful farmers who keep 
sufficient animals to do the work without rushing, even 
during the busy seeding and harvest season. On such 
farms mares are usually kept and in order to make them 
earn their keep during the idle season, they are bred, 
thus producing a colt in addition to the work. The 
money obtained from the sale of horses produced in this 
way will fully compensate for the extra horses, and for 
the maintenance of all horse stock during the idle season. 
Thus, instead of purchasing a team every few years, as 
is the custom on so many farms at the present time, the 
horse-breeding farmer has an income from the sale of 
surplus stock. 

Number of horses produced. — There are no data avail- 
able in the United States on the number of horses con- 
sumed, or used up, in a year, but conservative estimates 
place it at approximately two million. In addition to the 
horses consumed at home there are a few exported. These 
animals must be replaced or there will be a horse famine. 
There are approximately lo million mares on farms in 
the United States, of which we will assume that one-half, 
or five million, are of breeding age. If we are to produce 
more than two million colts it means that something like 
one-half of these mares must be bred each year.. 



264 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Horse-breeding states. — The thirteenth United States 
census gives figures showing the number of colts pro- 
duced in each state for the year 1909, as well as the total 
number of mature horses at the time the census was 
taken. In this classification all horses over fifteen and 
one-half months of age are considered mature. From 
these figures we learn that for every 100 mature horses 
there were 9.9 colts produced in the United States — 2.8 
colts in the New England states; 5.0 colts in the middle 
Atlantic states; 10.5 colts in the north central states; 
7.6 colts in the south Atlantic states; 9.2 colts in the 
south central states; 14.2 colts in the mountain states; 
and 1 1.3 colts produced for each 100 head of mature 
horses in the Pacific states. 

Conditions favorable to horse breeding. — So far as 
natural conditions are concerned much of the United 
States affords ideal breeding ground for the horse. This 
is emphasized by the manner in which feral horses bred 
when given their freedom by the early settlers. Per- 
haps nowhere else in the world do the natural conditions 
surpass those of Kentucky, especially for the production 
of light, stylish horses, such as the Thoroughbred, the 
American Saddler and the Standardbred horse. The 
same is true of the heavy drafter throughout many of 
the north central states. 

Mechanical power. — The usefulness of mechanical 
power is going to relieve the horse of much of the cheaper 
forms of labor such as long distant deliveries, plowing 
large areas, and the like. While the future influence of 
these motors cannot be foretold, past experience is en- 
couraging to the horse breeder. It is not likely that these 
machines will affect the horse market, at least for some 
time to come, any more seriously than did the raijroads 
and electric cars. During the past decade, in which 
motors have been an active competitor, the price of the 
horse has risen 138 per cent. Evidently these machines 
have not seriously affected the demand for horses, as such 
increase in value would be impossible. 



PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 



265 



At present it cannot be denied that the automobile is 
affecting the price of fancy and pleasure horses ; but past 
experience and present conditions indicate that the time 
is near at hand when automobiles will be as common and 
as cheap in proportion as bicycles, and then the fancy and 
pleasure horse will be as great a luxury as ever. 

PRACTICAL PLAN FOR BREEDING HORSES 



Perhaps the most discouraging factor in horse breeding 
in this country is the lack of type and quality among the 
common horse stock. This is due largely to the lack of 
a definite plan in breeding horses. Our horse breeders 
have crossed types and breeds promiscuously, which has 
resulted in general de- 
terioration. To avoid 
this condition the begin- 
ner should decide upon 
a clearly defined plan of 
procedure. A good 
knowledge of horses and 
horse breeding should 
be obtained. Breeding 
establishments and 
horse-producing farms 
should be visited. A 
careful study should be 
made of the conditions, 
such as the market, the fig. 131.— Shire stallion "lord carlton" 
kind of work to be ac- 
complished, and the like. Some markets and some con- 
ditions will favor the breeding of one type of horse, while 
other conditions will favor another type. In working 
out the plan, it should be kept clearly in mind, whatever 
the type or breed chosen — whether it is draft, coach or 
driving, for draft, stylish action or speed — that none but 
superior horses will sell at remunerative prices. There 




266 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

will always be an overproduction of common ■ horses, 
which will be the first to be affected by oyersupply and 
business depressions and the last to be revived. 

Co-operative horse breeding. — This system has been 
extensively introduced into some of the states and most 
excellent results are reported. A number of farmers 
possessing the same type or breed of mares band to- 
gether and form a horse-breeding association. This as- 
sociation provides a suitable stallion, advertises stock, 
holds sales and often makes exhibits at the local and 
state fairs. Meetings are held for the discussion of 
horse-breeding matters and in this way each member re- 
ceives the benefit of the others' experience. This serves 
to promote uniformity, to improve the quality and to im- 
prove the standard of the horses raised in the locality. 

"Company plan." — Often a salesman representing an 
importing firm enters a locality and forms a "company" 
in order that he may sell a horse. This company con- 
sists of a varying number of men, each paying a pro- 
portionate amount. The company thus formed usually 
pays a high price for the horse, as the price must cover 
many expenses. Further, the stallion thus thrust upon 
the community is seldom of the proper type to mate 
with the local mares. Often a good start is made in the 
grading up with a certain breed, as the Percheron, when 
a company is formed for the purchase of a stallion of an- 
other breed. Such a stallion is a detriment to the com- 
munity, although he would have been valuable if of the 
same breed as the mares in the locality. The company 
plan of purchasing stallions, therefore, is objectionable, 
not alone because of the high price, but because they are 
often unsuited to mate with the mares of the locality. 

Selection of animals for breeding. — The general prin- 
ciples of heredity and variation must be kept in mind in 
choosing breeding stock. This applies to the mare as 
well as to the stallion. When the colts are not up to 
standard there is a tendency to criticize the stallion,, 



PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 26/ 

whereas undesirable qualities of the mare are as likely 
to appear in the offspring as are the bad qualities of the 
stallion. It is a serious but common error in horse breed- 
ing to suppose that the bad points of one animal can be 
overcome by the good points of the mate. Undesirable 
characters of the mare are not to be offset by choosing 
a stallion that is abnormally developed in a contrary 
direction. In selecting breeding stock we must remem- 
ber that success will depend largely upon the perfection 
of the foundation animals, both mare and stallion. 

Breed and type. — In formulating the general plan for 
breeding horses we should first decide upon the breed 
and type. The most profitable breed will be influenced 
by the local conditions and the tastes of the breeder, as 
there are no best breed and type for all conditions. The 
light types naturally belong to farms devoted to dairy- 
ing, fruit farming, market gardening, and the like. On 
such farms there is little heavy work, such as plowing 
and heavy hauling. Further, the necessity of reaching 
the market or the creamery requires light, active horses. 

On general purpose farms where there is much plow- 
ing and other heavy work to be done, the heavy horse 
finds his true home. While the horses belonging to the 
draft type are not so active or stylish as those of the light 
type, they possess many advantages. Draft horses can 
be reared with less risk than the lighter and more active 
types. They are not so likely to injure themselves as the 
higher strung animals ; and should a slight blemish occur, 
it is not considered so serious as in the case of a roadster 
or coacher. Draft horses can be put to light work much 
younger and do not require so much training to fit them 
for their life work. Further, the horses of this type are 
in constant demand for city traffic. They are the last to 
be affected by business depressions and the first to re- 
cover; they are the least affected by automobiles, motor 
cars, and the like ; they are not affected by fads, fancies, 
or fashions, and always command a remunerative price. 



268 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The mare. — In selecting breeding stock, the influence 
of the mare in transmitting qualities to the foal is often 
underestimated, and frequently ignored entirely by horse 
breeders. No dotibt this accounts for much of the disap- 
pointment in breeding horses. No matter what type or 
breed is selected, the brood mare should be as nearly per- 
fect as it is possible to obtain. She should be of good size 
for the breed to which she belongs, ponies excepted. Her 
conformation should be rather open, showing much chest 
and girth capacity, and insuring constitutional vigor. 
The pelvic region should be broad, to insure ease of 
foaling. 

The legs and feet of the brood mare should be care- 
fully considered. The bones of the limbs should be clean 
and free from coarseness, so that the legs appear wide 
and flat. The tendons should be prominent and free 
from meatiness, and the hair fine, silky and glossy. The 
feet should be of medium size, well shaped, dark colored, 
tough, elastic and close of texture. Mares having poor 
hoofs, too small, too large, too soft and spongy, too weak, 
brittle, wide and low in the heels, too shallow and flat, 
too steep and contracted, are not desirable for breeding 
purposes. The wearing qualities of the horse depend 
largely on the character of the legs and feet. 

The brood mare should have a good disposition. In- 
firmities in temper seem to be transmitted to the off- 
spring. Pregnant mares are often quarrelsome and many 
distressing accidents occur when the mare has a naturally 
mean disposition. 

The stallion. — If possible, choose a sire of known breed- 
ing qualities. The stallion that is known for the produc- 
tion of uniform colts of excellent quality is the one to 
patronize. For this reason middle-aged stallions are 
preferred to young ones. 

Pure-bred sires always should be patronized, although 
the individuality of the animal should be given equal 
prominence with the pedigree. As an individual, the sire 



PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 



269 



should be a perfect representative of the breed to which 
he belongs. The pedigree alone does not guarantee his 
worth, as many inferior pure-bred animals find their way 
into the stud books. The conformation, quality, action 
and temperament should be carefully considered. Note 
the condition. Stallion owners like to have their animals 
very fat, as this covering often conceals many defects. 
When possible it is preferable to patronize stallions that 
are worked moderately. This exercise serves to keep the 
animal in excellent condition and a better grade of colts 
will be obtained than if this exercise is withheld. It is 
not sufficient that he simply be jogged, as this does not 
stimulate proper development. 

The stallion fee. — Perhaps 
no single factor has done 
more to discourage profit- 
able horse production than 
the low service fee of the 
grade or scrub stallion. The 
services of a desirable stal- 
lion cannot be had for less 
than $15 without the owner 
losing money on his invest- 
ment, yet many cheap and 
inferior horses stand for less 
money. The common farm- 
er, not appreciating the value 
of good blood, patronizes 
the inferior animal because 

of the low fee, with the result that the offspring is a 
nondescript and not worth the food required to raise him, 
while the superior animal is driven from the locality for 
lack of patronage. 

There are three methods of charging stallion fees in 
common practice : To insure a living foal ; to insure the 
mare in foal ; and by the service. Often a stallion stands 
at a certain fee for a single service and at a higher one 




Fig. 132. — Percheron Stallion 



2/0 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

to insure a living foal, the farmer being given his choice. 
To get at the relative value of these propositions wq v^ill 
consider some data compiled by Sanders which, accord- 
ing to our own observations, seem to be approximately 
correct. This data was obtained from the German studs, 
in which i,ooo stallions served 42,000 mares, with re- 
sults as follows : 



per cent. 

Mares served 100.0 

Mares in foal 67.7 

Live foals dropped 53.3 

Mares aborted and miscarried 4.8 

Mares dying or missing 9.6 



According to this table a stallion will make as much 
money for his owner by standing at $io for a service as 
he will at $15 to insure the mare in foal, or at $20 to in- 
sure a living foal. These sums are approximate, and 
they serve as a very good guide in deciding which of the 
three conditions to accept when they are optional with 
the farmer. 

Lien laws. — Many of the states now have laws grant- 
ing a lien on mare and foal, resulting from the services 
of a properly recorded and advertised stallion. These 
laws make the mare or foal, or both, holden for the 
service fee. These laws differ widely in the various 
states and the horse breeder should become familiar with 
the provisions made by the statutes of his own state. 
The wording of some of these statutes is not clear, and 
in such cases the advice of a lawyer should be sought. 

Soundness. — Both sire and dam should be free from all 
forms of unsoundness or diseases that are hereditary, 
transmissable or communicable to the offspring. While 
absolutely perfect animals can rarely, if ever, be found, 
and few horse breeders can afford to reject breeding 
stock for small and unimportant defects, yet not until 
both mare and stallion are free from unsoundness can 
we hope to raise the excellency of our horses to the 



PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 2'J\ 

degree possible as the result of intelligent breeding and 
development. 

It would seem logical to expect that if we used un- 
sound sires and dams their progeny may prove equally 
unsound, or if one parent is unsound its unsoundness 
may offset the soundness of the other parent and endow 
the offspring with a tendency to like unsoundness. Many 
breeders have fallen into the grievous way of considering 
any broken down, halt, maimed, blind or otherwise un- 
sound mare fit for breeding purposes when no longer 
able to work. It is certainly poor policy to knowingly 
use unsound breeding animals and thus promote un- 
soundness in the offspring. 

Uniformity and persistency in breeding. — We have not 
had sufficient regard for uniformity and type in our 
horse-breeding operations. All sorts of crosses have been 
made, with the result that our horses are of mixed breed- 
ing and many of them mongrels and misfits. The only 
certain method of raising the general average of our 
horses, in respect to type, quality, action and specific 
utility, is by persistent breeding to sires of the same 
breed until the blood of that breed has wholly obliterated 
the native blood derived from the mares originally used. 
Were this practice followed, for even a few generations, 
we would find general excellence of form, quality, action 
and utility, such as characterize the breed, used in the 
work of improvement. 

Our farmers have been using pure-bred sires, to a 
greater or lesser degree, for more than half a century, yet 
few, if any, communities have persistently used such sires 
in a right line until the characters and quality of any one 
breed have become predominant. The importance of 
persistency of effort in horse breeding is well illustrated 
in the district of La Perche, in France. This county has 
become famous throughout the world for one breed of 
horses — the Percheron — which possesses marked breed 
prepotency and breeds so true to type. The Clydesdale 



2^2 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



o£ Canada affords another example. The early Canadian 
settlers were partial to the Clydesdale breed, and hence 
imported Clydesdale stallions of best character which 
have been employed in the breeding operations of that 
country since the year 1842, when Archibald Ward of 
Markham, Ontario, imported Grey Clyde (78). Prac- 




FIG. 133.— ARRANGEMENT OF BREEDING HOPPLES 

tically no outside crosses have been made. This has 
enabled the farmers to select suitable mares and to ade- 
quately develop their progeny. The result is that Can- 
ada has but one type of draft horse, and it is a good one, 
showing to a marked degree the characteristics of the 
pure-bred Clydesdale, 

The individual farmer will do well to cast his lot with 
the majority of his neighbors and breed the same type 
that they are breeding, even though that type may not 
be the one that best suits his fancy or even the one that 
is best suited to the district. 



PRACTICAL HORSE BREEDING 273 

The process of breeding. — The stallion should be in the 
hands of a caretaker who understands his work thor- 
oughly. Englishmen and Scotchmen, by virtue of their 
training abroad, usually make the best grooms. The 
stallion standing for public patronage should have a 
properly constructed breeding plant. This may consist 
of an inexpensive shed with an earth floor on which to 
breed the mares. At one side of the shed erect a teasing 
stall in which to try the mares. The front and side of 
the stall should be boarded up solid for about 4 feet. 
This is preferable to the teasing pole, as neither the mare 
nor stallion can injure each other by striking or kicking. 

No matter how gentle the mare may be, the breeding 
hopples should be used at time of service. It only takes 
a moment to adjust them, and they will avoid all acci- 
dent. The hopples should be adjusted snugly so as to 
prevent the mare from stepping about. Many a valu- 
able stallion has been injured when it was thought un- 
necessary to take this precaution. When the mare is in 
place lead the stallion from his stall, making him come up 
quietly and at right angles to her. It is better to train 
the stallion to mount from the side rather than from 
behind. Train him to come up quietly; do not allow 
him to tear all over the plant in his efforts to mount and 
do not allow him to nip at the mare. 



CHAPTER XXVII 
THE BROOD MARE 

The mare used for breeding purposes should receive 
careful attention. This need not lessen her usefulness 
as a worker to any considerable extent, but is very im- 
portant, as the w^ellbeing of both mare and foal depends 
upon such attention. 

Care of brood mare. — In our attempt to favor the mare 
in foal, we often subject her to very unfavorable condi- 
tions. Often she is placed in a stall, fed the most nutri- 
tious of foods and denied exercise, particularly in winter, 
as we are afraid she will slip and injure herself or the 
foal. Under such conditions she soon stocks up, the legs 
become swollen and stiff, she takes on fat rapidly and 
becomes soft and flabby, all of which serve to increase 
the difficulties at parturition time. It is a much better 
plan to keep the mare in foal at moderate work, even up 
to the day of foaling, as this will provide the needed 
exercise, which is so essential to the wellbeing of both 
mare and foal. 

Where a large number of brood mares are kept, it is 
often impossible to supply work for them, particularly 
in the winter season. If possible, it is a good plan to 
provide each mare with a box stall, at least lo by 12 feet 
square. Each stall should be arranged with a door 
facing the south and opening into a small paddock or 
yard, so that each mare may have her own exercising 
ground. This will provide for exercise and avoid many 
distressing accidents, as mares in foal are usually quarrel- 
some and often injure each other when exercising two 
or more in a paddock. Where box stalls and small yards 
are not practical, a good, tight shed well protected on 
the north and west, but open to the south, will do very 
well for mares, if they have plenty of room, particularly 

274 



THE BROOD MARE 275 

if the climate is not too severe. A spacious paddock 
should be arranged in front of the shed, facing the south. 

Productive period in brood mares. — Mares vary 
widely in fertility, but the most productive period is 
from four to 12 years of age. In exceptional cases, 
however, this period may be extended both ways. Occa- 
sionall}^ a filly will breed freely at two years of age, thus 
foaling her first colt at three; and, as we have already 
seen. Old Fanny Cook produced 15 living foals, giving 
birth to twins at 22 years of age, and there are many 
similar cases, especially among the lighter types. 

Breeding two-year-old fillies. — Among practical horse 
breeders there is much difference of opinion as to the 
advisability of breeding a two-year-old mare. Many per- 
sons assert that the breeding of a filly at so early an age 
tends to retard her development ; that she will not make 
so large or vigorous an animal as she otherwise would 
and that the foal is handicapped in its development be- 
cause of having an immature dam. On the other hand, 
there are breeders who state that early pregnancy has a 
tendency to stimulate the development of the dam, to 
increase the fertility, and that the first foal, if from 
a filly at least three years of age, stands just as good a 
chance as the first foal from a mature mare. 

From experience, it seems that the practicability of 
breeding a two-year-old filly depends on at least three 
factors : The breed, the individuality of the mare and 
the object sought. As a rule, horses of the heavy type 
mature younger than those of the light type. A draft 
filly at two years of age is often as mature as a trotting, 
running or saddle filly at three years of age. Individual 
mares dift'er in the way they mature, as a smoothly 
turned, neat and well-finished one develops much vounger 
than a rough, coarse and growthy individual. Maturity 
is influenced by the feed and care. A filly that is kept 
growing continuously from birth will mature earlier than 
one imperfectly cared for and which receives a set back 




i 

'V. 



^<^m^-: 









^■.^'' 



,? -*,, 



■^",^'c/:' 






^• 






..-•.'if'*j8f-;fis^j?;;x5£f- ' 



; i-/<^',- < 




276 



THE BROOD MARE 277 

each winter. Finally, if breeding pure-bred animals, and 
the object sought is to improve the strain, the advisability 
of breeding a two-year-old filly would be questionable. 
On the other hand, if working with grades and the object 
is to produce draft horses for the market, there is no rea- 
son why fillies cannot be bred at two years of age if they 
are well grown and mature, and their owner is willing to 
feed and care for them properly during their pregnancy. 

Perhaps one reason for much of the discussion as to 
the wisdom of breeding a mare at two years of age is 
from the fact that fillies at this age breed with much 
difficulty. From practical experience it seems that only 
about one filly out of four will conceive at so early an age. 

Breeding aged mares. — At about 12 years the pro- 
ductive powers of many draft mares begin to wane, al- 
though some breed freely for a much longer period, par- 
ticularly if they have been bred continuously from their 
maturity. As a rule, the lighter types retain their produc- 
tive powers longer than the heavy types, although it is 
rarely profitable to keep a mare for breeding after she is 
15 years of age. 

Season of the year to breed. — Mares breed naturally in 
the early spring. At this season their breeding condition 
is more readily observed and they conceive more fre- 
quently than at any other time during the year. While 
the spring of the year is the natural breeding season, on 
many farms it is inconvenient to do so, because of the 
season's work, this being the busiest time of the year. 
This often necessitates breeding the mares so as to have 
the colts come in the fall. 

Spring foals. — When convenient the spring is the 
proper time to breed the mare, as this is attended by 
many advantages. Not only is the mare's breeding con- 
dition more readily noted and her chances of conceiving 
much greater, but the foal comes at a time when it is 
much more easily managed. The housing is simplified, 
for if the weather is warm the mare and foal mav be 




k-;. ^^fc 



278 



THE BROOD MARE 2/9 

turned to a small paddock or pasture. If the mare is 
worked during the day she should be fed her evening 
meal, before going to pasture, as she needs the more 
nutritious feed, the grass being too succulent to meet the 
demands made upon her system. The grass she eats will 
serve to keep her in good physical condition and stimu- 
late the flow of milk. This gives the foal the range of the 
field that it may take the much-needed exercise, without 
which no foal can develop endurance. Soon the foal 
will learn to nibble the grass, and this will prove very 
beneficial, as grass is a very good supplement to milk 
for a suckling colt. If the foal is given a little grain at the 
same time the dam receives her ration, it will thrive and 
develop in a manner very difficult to equal with a fall colt. 

Aside from the inconvenience of the foal while work- 
ing the dam, the chief objection to a spring colt is that 
he must be weaned in the fall just about the time of 
going on dry feed. At this time the colt must receive 
extra feed and attention or he will lose flesh and perhaps 
receive a setback that will retard his future development 
and usefulness. 

Fall foals. — On grain farms the pressing work begins 
in March and continues until August, while in dairy dis- 
tricts where there is much hay to harvest and silos to fill 
it may last until October. When fall foals are to be 
raised the mares should be bred so as to foal as soon as 
convenient after the season's work, providing the foals do 
not come when flies are cruelly annoying. Time of breed- 
ing and other details will be modified by circumstances. 

While the m.are is not so likely to breed in the fall as in 
the spring, due, in part at least, to her thin condition 
after the summer's work, yet by increasing the food, es- 
pecially the grain ration, by blanketing, and by mod- 
erate and regular exercise, the desired results can often 
be attained. The bowels should be kept free from consti- 
pation by feeding moderate amounts of succulent food. 
In short, make the conditions as springlike as possible. 



280 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

If the foal comes in the winter it will need extra warm 
quarters and extra attention. The dam will need milk- 
producing foods, such as clover or alfalfa hay, oats, bran 
and a few carrots, if available. She should be exercised 
regularly. If one has succulent food, such as carrots, 
and provides sufficient exercise for mare and foal, it is 
possible to raise a winter colt that will be a strong rival 
to the average spring colt, but extra care must be given. 

Breeding the mare. — Do not change the habit or work 
of a mare at breeding time, but keep her as she was before 
the service. Often work mares are bred and turned to 
pasture. This is poor practice, as the sudden changing 
of a mare from dry grain and hay to pasture, and from 
work to idleness w^U so upset her system as to render 
conception difficult. In like manner, taking a mare from 
pasture and giving her a diet of grain and hay will have a 
similar result. The quieter a mare is kept at time of 
service the better it will be for her. If possible long 
drives to and from the stallion should be avoided. When 
it is desired to breed to a stallion located at some dis- 
tance, if possible, arrangements should be made to leave 
her near him for a time. 

Breeding condition. — While mares differ widely in the 
recurrence of their breeding condition, this difference is 
not so great as to render a general rule inapplicable. A 
mare bred on the ninth day after foaling will usually 
conceive, and if she is healthy and has received no 
injuries in giving birth it is the practice to breed her 
at this time. When she should be returned to see 
whether she has conceived is a much-discussed question, 
due to the fact that mares differ in this respect. The 
horse breeder should make a study of the individuality 
of his mares so as to be able to return them at the proper 
time. In common practice the mare is returned on the 
twenty-first day after first service, and every seven da3^s 
thereafter for at least one month, particularly when the 
mare is a valuable one and the owner wishes to make 
sure she is in foal. 



THE BROOD MARE 28I 

Some mares are shy breeders and are never observed 
to be in breeding condition. If it is desired to breed such 
a mare she can occasionally be brought around by hop- 
pling her securely and then breeding her. In approx- 
imately three weeks from this service she may be ob- 
served to be in breeding condition, v^hen she should be 
bred again. On the other hand, there are many mares 
that v^ill freely be served even v^hen in foal, and in some 
cases up to the time of foaling. 

Barrenness in mares. — Some mares come into condition 
and breed normally, but fail to conceive. While there 
are many causes of barrenness, some of which are well 
understood and easily prevented, there are other causes 
not so well known and perhaps beyond the control of the 
breeder. Chief among the known causes are : Late 
breeding; lack of exercise; overfeeding and mares in too 
fat a condition; underfeeding and mares in too thin a 
condition ; lack of proper food and the like. Thus, mares 
not bred until late in life are difficult to impregnate for 
the first time. This is particularly true of hard-working 
mares. This is due, no doubt, to the long inactivity of 
the generative organs. 

Perhaps the most common cause of non-breeding 
is the excessive feeding of foods too rich in carbo- 
hydrates, particularly corn, which is very fattening. 
This also increases the dangers attending parturition, 
such as milk fever, difficulties in foaling, and the like. 
Breeding animals that are fed such rich and stimulating 
foods should receive an abundance of exercise. The 
other extreme — poor feeding and hard work — is equally 
as likely to cause barrenness, as the system is weakened 
by the lack of sufficient nutrition. On the other hand, 
there is a long line of causes of barrenness over which 
the breeder has little or no control, such as derangement 
of the female organs, diseased ovaries, tumors, inflamma- 
tion, and the like, which lead to the destruction or expul- 



282 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

sion of the semen before conception, or soon afterwards. 

To reduce barrenness among -brood mares, avoid all 
causes which may have a tendency to produce it. Feed a 
moderate amount of clean, nutritious food and provide 
the mare with sufficient exercise. Keep her in good 
health and if she is normal she will conceive. If she is 
not normal or is unthrifty, she either may not conceive 
at all or only occasionally, and even then there is likely 
to be difficulty. 

Abortion in mares. — Perhaps many mares thought to 
be barren conceive freely, but abort soon after concep- 
tion. Either difficulty is serious, as they prevent living 
offspring and thus render the mare worthless as a 
breeder. Abortion may be brought about by any cause 
that very generally disturbs the mare's system, such as 
the feeding of too stimulating a ration or the reverse, 
the feeding of certain harmful materials as ergot of rye, 
smut of corn or other grain, and the drinking of filthy 
stagnant water, iced water as well as the eating of iced 
grasses and other indigestible materials. In addition, 
abortion may be due to a number of more or less direct 
mechanical causes, as falls, blows, overwork and violent 
exertion, traveling on muddy roads, soft, plowed ground 
or jumping fences, ditches, and the like. 

As in barrenness, abortion can usually be prevented by 
avoiding all causes which may have a tendency to pro- 
duce it. The same precautions should be taken as sug- 
gested for barrenness. When all measures fail and mis- 
carriage results, all that can be done is to assist in the 
removal of the fetus and its membranes, as in ordinary 
parturition. At this time the mare should have extra 
care. She should be placed in a roomy, well-lighted and 
w^ell-ventilated stall, and fed easily digested food, as it 
is essential to avoid constipation, diarrhea, indigestion 
and the like. The mare should never be bred on the ninth 
day after a miscarriage. Let her go over at least one 
period. 



THE EROOD MARE 283 

THE PREGNANT MARE 

The management of the pregnant mare should have for 
its object the feeding of such a ration as will supply her 
demands for energy, and in addition allow ample nourish- 
ment for the development of the foal, both before and for 
a short time after birth, together with such a regulation 
of the work as will protect the mare from becoming tired, 
overheated, or injured in any way. The breeder who is 
painstaking and can accomplish this will experience little 
or no difficulty in managing brood mares before, during 







ii 










<!!«( 


I;-; ''% 
■■ j-^ -villi 


taiul 




1 


^^P-' x"^ 


4 



FIG. 136.— BROOD MARES SHOWING CONFORMATION, SOUNDNESS AND 

UNIFORMITY 

and after parturition. There is no secret in raising colts 
further than the feeding of a moderate amount of nutri- 
tious food and providing sufficient exercise to keep the 
mare and foal in perfect health. 

Working the pregnant mare. — As stated, moderate 
work is not only harmless, but positively advantageous 
to mares in foal, provided proper care can be taken not to 
overload them. It is much better than to keep them 
tied in the stable, for in that case they suffer for want of 
exercise. Notwithstanding, popular opinion to the con- 
trary, moderate work is better for brood mares than to 



284 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

permit them to run at large in the fields, where they are 
exposed to accident resulting from racing, playing or 
fighting with each other. Pregnant mares are usually 
quarrelsome, and abortion frequently occurs from in- 
juries received at the heels of other horses. If proper 
care be taken, the mare can be used safely at the ordinary 
work of the farm up to the very day of foaling. As foal- 
ing time approaches, however, it is important that the 
work be not heavy or the pace rapid. Further, the preg- 
nant mare must not be fretted by the other horses, or by 
rough, inexperienced hands. 

Feeding the pregnant mare. — The food of the pregnant 
mare is of most importance. The quality of the ration is 
of as much importance as the quantity. Fat production 
is to be avoided, and the formation of blood, muscle and 
bone induced. Foods rich in protein and ash, such as 
oats, bran, clover and alfalfa are preferred to starchy 
foods, such as corn and timothy hay. A very good ration 
for the pregnant mare is as follows : Four parts ground 
oats, four parts of wheat bran or its equivalent, and one 
part of linseed meal, with bright clover and alfalfa hay 
for roughage. If this ration should prove too laxative 
discard the linseed meal, or if too constipating give a bran 
mash occasionally. By the use of the proper foods, the 
bowels should be kept in good condition. 

The ration of the mare should be reduced just before 
and for a short time after foaling, and made more lax- 
ative by the addition of a succulent food, as carrots or an 
occasional bran mash. This should be continued until 
mare and foal recover from the ordeal incident to birth. 

The gestation period. — The mare carries her foal about 
eleven months, more accurately perhaps 340 days, al- 
though it may vary greatly either way. Fillies have been 
known to drop perfectly healthy foals at 300 days from 
time of service, while older mares have gone 400 days 
and given birth to living foals. The statement that male 
foals are carried longer than female foals lacks con- 



THE BROOD MARE 285 

firmation. Because of the uncertainty of the period, the 
mare should be watched closely from the tenth month 
until parturition. Place her in a large, well-lighted, well- 
ventilated box stall, free from projection on which she 
may injure herself or the foal, and in a quiet section of 
the barn. It is important that this stall be thoroughly 
clean and freshly bedded. It is a good plan to scatter a 
little lime about the floor before the bedding is put down. 



TABLE 


SHOWING 


PERIOD 


OF GESTATION- 


-MARES 340 DAYS 


Jan. 
Dec. 


1 
6 


3 
8 


6 
11 


9 
14 


12 

17 


IS 
20 


18 
23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 
4 


Jan. 


Feb. 
Jan. 


1 
6 


3 
8 


6 
11 


9 
14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 
23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 




Feb. 


Mar. 
Feb. 


1 
3 


3 
5 


6 

8 


9 
11 


12 
14 


15 
17 


18 
20 


21 
23 


24 
26 


27 


30 
4 


Mar. 


Apr. 
Mar. 


1 
6 


3 
8 


6 

11 


9 

14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 

23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 
4 


Apr. 


May 
April 


1 
5 


3 
7 


6 
10 


9 
13 


12 
16 


15 
19 


18 

■22 


21 
25 


24 
28 


27 


30 
4 


May 


June 
May 


1 
6 


3 

8 


6 
11 


9 
14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 
23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 

4 


June 


July 
. une 


1 
5 


3 

7 


6 
10 


9 
13 


12 
16 


15 
19 


18 

22 


21 

25 


24 
28 


27 


30 
4 


July 


Aug. 

July 


1 
6 


3 

8 


6 

11 


9 
14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 
23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 
4 


Aug. 


Sept. 
Aug. 


1 
6 


3 
8 


6 

11 


9 

14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 
23 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 

4 


Sept. 


Oct. 
Sept. 


1 
5 


3 

7 


6 
10 


9 

13 


12 
16 


15 
19 


18 
22 


21 

25 


24 
2<^ 


27 


30 
4 


Oct. 


Nov. 
Oct. 


1 
6 


3 
8 


6 
11 


9 
14 


12 
17 


15 
20 


18 
2^ 


21 
26 


24 
29 


27 


30 
4 


No". 


Dec. 
Nov. 


1 
5 


3 

7 


6 
10 


9 
13 


12 
16 


15 
19 


18 

22 


21 
25 


24 

28 


27 


30 

4 


Dec. 



The upper figure in each pair of horizontal lines repre- 
sents date of service, the figure beneath it, with the month 
designated in the margin, shows probable date of par- 
turition. A mare bred January i should foal December 6. 



286 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Foaling time. — There are certain signs of the near ap- 
proach of parturition that rarely fail. The udder may 
become much distended some time before foaling, but the 
teats seldom fill out plump to the end more than four or 
five days before the foal is born. By many persons the 
appearance of wax on the ends of the teats is considered 
a certain sign. This generally appears not earlier than 
48 hours before the foal comes. In some cases, however, 
the teats may discharge a watery exudate for days before 
the mare foals. About one week or 10 days before foal- 
ing there is a marked shrinking or falling away of the 
muscular parts at the top of the buttocks and back of the 
hips. On the other hand, occasionally a mare may give 
birth to a foal without any of these signs. 

When birth is normal, let both mare and foal alone, as 
they will come through the ordeal all right. In normal 
presentation the forefeet appear first with the bottom of 
the hoofs down, and then the nose (Fig. 185). It may be 
necessary that a caretaker be near at hand to render as- 
sistance if need be, but the mare should not know of his 
presence. The navel cord of the foal should be disin- 
fected at once. To do this some persons use a saturated 
solution of boracic acid, and then dust the cord with 
boracic acid powder. 

When birth is difficult, or if there is an abnormal pres- 
entation a veterinarian should be summoned at once, as 
difficult parturition is likely to prove fatal to the foal. 

Mare after foaling. — When birth is normal, the mare 
will usually tend the foal, though it may be necessary to 
aid him to get the first meal. When the mare has rested 
offer her a drink of gruel made from a pound of fine oil 
meal in half a bucket of water from which the chill has 
been taken. The mare should be given a few days' rest, 
though she should be exercised after the first few days, 
particularly if she has been at moderate work up to the 
time of foaling. This is important, as otherwise the foal 
will not thrive. If all is well the mare may be put to 
rnoderate work the ninth day after foaling. 



CHAPTER XXVIII 
THE FOAL 

It IS Important that the young foal get the first milk 
from the dam. The first milk, often called colostrum, 
looks thick and yellow, and difi^ers materially in composi- 
tion from the subsequent milk. It is a natural purgative 
for the removal of the material that has accumulated in 
the foal's digestive tract during the last iew days of his- 
development. The prompt removal of this material is; 
essential to the life of the foal. Thus, if the youngster 
is unable to stand and nurse, he should be aided to find! 
the teat and to obtain his first meal. 

The foal that makes his appearance normally, and is 
able to stand and nurse, needs but to be let alone as long 
as mare and foal are both doing w^ell. The young foal v^ill 
be better for it. By regulating the food and the exercise 
of the mare, the foal may be kept thriving and in the pink 
of condition w^ithout any special attention. 

Ailments of the young foal. — There is a high death 
rate among foals, due largely to lack of understanding 
on the part of the caretaker. It sometimes happens that 
the new-born foal cannot breathe because of the mem- 
branes surrounding the head. In such cases the mem- 
brane should be broken with the hand. Occasionally a 
new-born foal does not establish the function of respira- 
tion. In such cases the body should be rubbed briskly. 
Soon after birth many foals are troubled with digestive 
disorders, that must be remedied at once or they will 
prove fatal. Again, they are sometimes troubled with an 
infectious navel disease which usually proves fatal to the 
young foal. Practically all of these troubles can be 
avoided if proper precautions are taken. 

Constipation. — During the last few days of fetal de- 

287 



288 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



velopment there collects in the digestive tract of the foal 
a yellowish, rather hard, waxy substance called meco- 
nium. This fecal matter must be passed soon after birth 
or it will prove fatal to the new-born foal. If the diges- 
tive tract has not been cleaned of this material within 
12 hours, and the youngster presents a droopy, listless 
appearance, such as eyes not bright, ears lopped over 
and the like, something must be done to stimulate the 




FIG. 137.— ARABIAN MARE AND FOAL 



action of the bowels. This usually can be done by giving 
internally two ounces of olive oil or castor oil, and by an 
injection of warm water into the bowels. The oil must 
be given carefully to avoid strangling the foal. The 
water used in the injection should be at blood heat and 
have added to it a little glycerine. Inject gently into the 
rectum with a common two-ounce hard rubber syringe, 
taking care not to rupture the tender membrane. This 



THE FOAL 289 

will lubricate the passage and stimulate the bowels to 
action. The injection may be repeated each hour until 
the matter is passed, which should be within five hours 
from the time of giving the oil. 

Diarrhea. — Young foals are often troubled with 
diarrhea or scours, which often proves fatal soon after 
birth. There are a number of causes of this disease, per- 
haps the chief one being changes of an unknown char- 
acter in the composition of the mare's milk, due to poor 
health, lack of exercise, or to the mare becoming fretful 
when kept away from the foal for a time soon after foal- 
ing. The foal feeding on this changed milk induces 
indigestion and diarrhea. Some mares give a very large 
flow of milk, particularly when fed rich and stimulating 
food, and if the foal is permitted to take it all, digestive 
disorders and diarrhea are likely to result. The same 
often happens in early spring when the mare is pasturing 
on a rank growth of succulent grass. Other causes are 
the non-removal of the fecal matter, mare and foal con- 
fined in unclean stables, and the like. 

The treatment is the avoidance of conditions likely, to 
cause such disorders. If the dam is properly housed, fed 
and exercised there is very little danger. At the first 
appearance of such trouble, we should attend the foal 
and remove the cause, for even then it may be too late. 
If it is due to an oversupply of milk, the dam should be 
milked in part by hand. Never give an astringent with 
a view of cutting off the discharge, as the trouble is prob- 
ably caused by an irritant in the stomach or bowels which 
must be removed before a cure can be effected. The best 
plan in all such cases is to expel the disturber with a lax- 
ative, such as two ounces of olive or castor oil, and later 
when the irritant has been removed to check the dis- 
charge. 

Navel infection. — Young foals are very commonly 
troubled with navel infection or joint ill, which is a very 
fatal disease, particularly after the joints become af- 



290 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



fected. This disease is due to filth germs that gain access 
to the body of the foal by way of the open umbilical vein 
of the navel at birth. Soon after these germs enter the 
navel, they set up irritation and inflammation. The navel 
becomes enlarged, pus forms and is absorbed into the cir- 
culation. Abscesses form in all parts of the body, notably 
in the joints of the limbs, and at the throat and poll. 

As with digestive disorders, the treatment is the avoid- 
ance of conditions likely to produce the disease. It 
should be understood that simple hygienic measures will 
prevent all such diseases. The box stall in which the 




FIG. 138.— MARES AND FOALS AT PASTURE 

mare foals should be scrupulously clean, well lighted and 
well ventilated. It should be well bedded with clean, 
fresh material, for which straw or shavings is best. To 
make the stall sweeter a little lime should be scattered 
about the floor before the bedding is put down. 

FEEDING THE YOUNG FOAL 



If the dam's milk is insuflicient to promote a healthy, 
vigorous growth in the foal, additional food should be 
provided. For this purpose cow's milk is best, and th^ 



THE FOAL 291 

poorer in fat the better, as mare's milk will average only 
about iy^%, while that of the cow contains more than 
twice as much fat. 

Modified cow's milk for foals. — Occasionally it becomes 
necessary to raise a foal entirely independent of the dam. 
In such cases the cow's milk must be modified and care 
must be exercised not to give too much at one time. To 
a pint of fresh milk add half a teacupful of lime water, 
in which has been dissolved a dessertspoonful of white 
granulated sugar. Warm the mixture to blood heat. 
Let the foal have half a teacupful every hour at first. 
A.S the foal grows older this amount should be increased 
and the frequency of feeding decreased, first to 12, then 
to nine, six, and, lastly, to four times per day. This re- 
quires patience and takes time, but must be done. The 
object is to feed the foal all he will drink, and to feed 
him so frequently that he will not require much at a time. 

Feeding grain. — As soon as the foal is old enough, he 
should be taught to eat grain. He will begin to 
munch in the grain and hay at 10 days to two weeks of 
age, and should be encouraged to eat. A small handful 
of bran or oatmeal, to which a little brown sugar has been 
added, is good to get the foal in the habit of eating grain. 
A grain mixture consisting of half bran and half oatmeal 
by volume, makes a very satisfactory food for the sucking 
colt. The youngster should be given all of this mixture 
that he will consume with a relish. 

If it is necessary to feed milk after the colt is two, 
months of age^ skimmed milk should be substituted forr 
fresh cow's milk. This should always be given when, 
sweet. If the colt is troubled' with constipation add % 
little oilmeal to the grain ration. This meal can be fed; 
with profit to growing colts, as it furnishes a large pro- 
portion of muscle-forming and bone-forming food. 

Weaning the foal. — When properly managed, the foal 
can be weaned without loss in weight. This is largely 
a matter of preparation, and the simplicity of the weaning 



292 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



process depends on the thoroughness of the preparation. 
The colt that has been accustomed to grain as suggested, 
and that has been permitted to take increasingly more 
as he grew, has learned to rely on his own resources. 
Thus, when the time comes for complete separation from 
the dam there will be very little if any setback, provid- 
ing he is given all the grain he likes and is provided with 
an abundance of fresh drinking water. On the other 
hand, if the foal must learn to eat after being deprived 
of the dam's milk, he will require time to get accustomed 
to the new condition, which will of necessity prove a 

heavy drain upon 
the system. The new 
quarters where the 
weanlings are con- 
fined should be such 
that they cannot in- 
j u r e themselves 
while fretting over 
the separation. 

At this time the 
udder of the mare 
requires extra at- 
tention. When it 
becomes so full as 
to cause her uneasi- 
ness, part of the 
milk should be 
drawn, but she should not be milked dry. If the milk is 
all withdrawn it will take longer to dry her. 

Age to wean the foal. — In common practice colts are 
usually weaned at four to six months of age, depending 
on the conditions. In the case of mares that have been 
bred soon after foaling, it is best to wean early, so that 
they will have time to recuperate and to nourish the 
fetus. If for any reason the mare or foal are not doing 
well, it is perhaps best to wean rather early. On the 




Fig. 



139.— Percheron Weanling, Well Bred 
AND Well Fed 



THE FOAL - 293 

other hand, if the mare has a full flow of milk and her 
services are not needed, and if it is desired to push the 
foal to his maximum growth, there is no reason for wean- 
ing under six months of age. 

When dam and foal are separated, leave the foal in his 
accustomed stall and take the dam out of sight and hear- 
ing. This separation should be complete. If they are 
permitted to see, hear or smell each other again all that 
has been gained is lost, and it will be necessary to begin 
over again, 

MANAGEMENT OF THE WEANLING 

Weanlings should have snug quarters during the first 
winter. Feed them ground oats, barn and corn meal, one- 
third each by weight, to which a little oilmeal has been 
added to keep them in good physical condition. Feed 
only the best hay, clover or alfalfa preferred, and always 
avoid that which is dusty or moldy. Give them all they 
will clean up and come back hungry for the next meal. 

Exercise and development. — The colt needs an abun- 
dant opportunity for exercise in the fresh, pure air, un- 
contaminated by stable odors, as this is essential to a 
healthy development. It is not suflicient that he be led 
out at stated intervals for exercise. He needs the op- 
portunity to romp and play, that he may extend his 
muscles to their utmost capacity, expand his lungs to 
their very depths, and send the blood coursing through his 
veins with much vigor. This is essential to a healthy, 
robust development of heart and lungs, bone and muscle, 
and nowhere can it be obtained in so great perfection as 
in the freedom of a lot or field. 

The colt that is confined to a stall grows up a stiff, 
clumsy animal, deficient in stamina and vigor. And this 
for the want of that which is so free — fresh air and exer- 
cise. 

Care of the coifs feet. — The feet of a growing colt re- 
quire constant attention, otherwise they will not always 



294 MiVNAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

grow out full, Strong and perfect in form. On sandy soil, 
the hoofs wear off as fast as necessary, to keep them in 
fair proportion, but the wearing is not even. The feet 
should be carefully inspected once each month, and all 
irregularities corrected. It will often be necessary to 
shorten the toes. This should be done with a rasp, which 
is the only instrument that should be used on a colt's 
foot. The frog needs special attention, for if it gets out 
of contact with the bearing- surface the foot will rapidly 
lose its shape, the heels will contract and the walls at the 
quarter become brittle, weak and easily split both from 
above and below. To avoid such irregularities, keep the 
walls rounded at the ground surface, the toes short and 
the frog prominent. 

Age to castrate male colts. — It is customary to castrate 
the colt when he is between one and two years of age. 
The work for which the colt is required, as well as the 
individuality, are factors to be considered in determin- 
ing the proper age. The longer the colt is left entire, the 
more muscular in appearance and the more courageous 
he will be. Thus, if the colt is rather undeveloped, es- 
pecially about the head and neck, and rather timid in his 
nature, he may be left entire six months or even a year 
longer than if he is overdeveloped in these parts and 
inclined to be lively and vicious. 



CHAPTER XXIX 
PRACTICAL MULE BREEDING 

While in the breeding of mules the same general fac- 
tors are to be considered as in breeding horses, yet there 
are a few peculiar differences worthy careful considera- 
tion. Chief among these peculiarities are the method 
of obtaining the sire, as well as his management from 
the time he is foaled until maturity. 

Number of mules produced. — The number of mules 
bred in the United States is increasing very rapidly. 
According to the thirteenth census there were approx- 
imately 3^ million mules in the country in 1900, while 
in 19 10 there were about 4>4 million. This increase is 
due to the efficiency of the mule as a beast of burden. 
He possesses a few outstanding advantages over the 
horse, chief of which are his resistance to disease, largely 
because he seldom eats more than is good for him ; his 
pluck, perseverance and steady habits; his fast walk; 
and his long life, the mule being a longer-lived animal 
than the horse. 

Mule-breeding states. — The geographical distribution 
of mules is different from that of horses. Although the 
use of mules is rapidly increasing in the North, it is in the 
South that they have been found particularly useful. In 
1910 there were more than 12 times as many horses as 
mules in the North, while in the South there were only 
about one and one-half times as many. Of the 313,196 
yearling mules in 1909, practically none were in the New 
England states; less than .5 of 1% in the middle Atlantic 
states; 3.3% in the South Atlantic states; 46.2% in the 
north central states ; 44.9% in the south central states ; 
and 5.1% in the mountain and Pacific states. Missouri, 

295 



296 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma lead all other states, each 
possessing more than 10,000 yearling mules in 1909, while 
Iowa and Illinois, the two leading horse-producing states, 
which numbered 158,679 and 138,447 yearling horses 
•respectively, possessed but 1,482 and 7,202 yearling mules 
respectively, at the same time. Kentucky and Tennessee 
stand high among the mule-producing states, and are 
particularly noted for raising mules of style and quality. 

BREEDING JACKS AND JENNETS 



Since the jack is sire of the mule, it is necessary to con- 
sider the breeding of jacks and jennets in any discussion 
of mule breeding. While we have no data as to the ex- 
tent of jack and jennet breeding in the United States, it 
is very limited, as the thirteenth census reports only 
105,698 jacks and jennets. The leading mule breeders 

rely largely upon im- 
ported jacks, although 
with the increasing 
popularity of the mule 
there is likely to be an 
increase in the number 
of jack-breeding farms. 
Selecting breeding 
stock. — In the choos- 
ing of jacks and jen- 
nets, equally as much 
care should be exer- 
cised as in the case of 
breeding horses. The 
same general principles 
of breeding apply to 
jacks and jennets as to stallions and mares. Lack 
of numbers makes rigid selection impossible, but im- 
provement is not possible unless superior animals are 
mated. 




Fig. 140. — Catalonian Jack 



PRACTICAL MULE BREEDING 297 

Select animals that are typical of the breed and that 
display jack characteristics. Choose the animal with 
a long', thin, bony head and long, tapering ears attached 
gracefully to the head. The neck should be of medium 
length and well attached at the shoulders, which should 
be well laid in and not too rough. The body should be 
smooth and well turned. Breadth in hips and pelvis is 
very essential, particularly in the jennet. Many jennets 
are so deficient or narrow in the pelvis that they often 
experience great difficulty at parturition time. The legs 
should be flat and clean, with large joints, and the feet 
should be large and deeply cupped. 

In size, the breeding animals should be large for the 
breed and well proportioned. Large jacks often lack in 
proportion and are often clumsy. Both of these faults 
must be guarded against. The action should be free and 
easy as well as regular and straightaway. The walk 
should be rapid and regular. The color is a very im- 
portant character in jacks and jennets, notably in the 
United States, where a good black with distinctively 
light points is preferred. Dun, yellow, blue, and the 
like, are discriminated against. Perhaps the most im- 
portant characters to be considered in selecting jack stock 
are the color, size and action. 

The pregnant jennet. — The same suggestions made for 
the pregnant mare apply to the jennet (p. 283). As it is 
not customary to work jennets in this country, they must 
be provided with facilities to take the much-needed exer- 
cise. When in season, the pasture fills this need. If the 
weather is unfavorable, the jennet should be placed in a 
box stall, adjacent to an exercising lot and the door of 
the box stall left open except in very severe weather. To 
avoid all risk from accident each jennet should be kept 
by herself. 

The jennet carries her foal longer than the mare, often 
well up to 12 months. As the time of foaling approaches 
the jennet must be watched closely, and an attendant 



298 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



must be with her when the foal is born. This is im- 
portant. When the foal is born he may have the 
membrane over his head and nostrils, and if this is 
not torn and removed, he will smother. The navel 
cord is rather tough and sometimes does not break. 
In such cases, it should be tied with a silk or flax thread 
and then cut three or four inches from the navel. Never 
cut the cord before tying. Sometimes foaling jennets 
are troubled with sore, tender and inflamed udders, due 
to the large amount of milk they contain. When such is 
the case, the jennet will not allow the foal to suck. She 

will kick and bite 
him, and he may 
starve if not looked 
after properly. The 
jennet must be care- 
fully milked and the 
udder bathed in salt 
water to relieve the 
inflammation. 

While mares us- 
ually breed on the 
seventh to the ninth 
day after foaling, jen- 
nets breed much later, 
probably about the 
twelfth to fourteenth 
day. As with mares, if they fail to breed at this time, 
they are not likely to mate while nursing the foal. A 
few days after weaning, however, and the mare or jennet 
dried off, they are likely to come into heat, particularly 
if they have been well cared for and are in a thriving 
condition. 

The foal. — The jack and jennet foal should receive 
much the same care as that suggested for the horse foal 
(p. 287), although jack stock is very tender when young 
and should receive vigilant attention. These foals are 




Fig. 141. — Jack Colt Fifteen Months of Age 



PRACTICAL MULE BREEDING 



299 



more or less subject to springing of the forelegs when 
young. According to Knight, who has had large ex- 
perience in raising jacks, this difficulty results from the 
foal's long legs. Thus, when the dams are low, and the 
foal is compelled to stoop and suck, the forelegs are often 
cramped in such a position as to increase their liability 
to injury. At an early age the bones are very soft and 




FIG. 142.— SPAN OF PRIZE MULES 



easily sprung. The difficulty is also noticed in young 
foals feeding on pasture. The youngsters are required 
to put too much weight on the forelegs in order to reach 
the grass, and this may result in injury to the joints. 
Usually the knees spring in or out, but sometimes the 
ankles give way and occasionally the arm joints are 
injured. 

This difficulty may be so serious that Knight suggests 
placing the foals in the stable and feeding them suitable 
food. Fresh green grass may be fed in the stable, thus 



300 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

avoiding the exposure of the limbs by grazing. When 
the difficulty is due to a low dam, the youngster may be 
placed in the stable and fed on modified cow's milk, much 
as suggested for feeding modified cow's milk to horse 
foals; or the milk from the dam may be used, as some 
jennets give large quantities. 

Raising a mule-breeding jack. — The jack is peculiar in 
his habits. He will not serve both mares and jennets. 
In fact, he will seldom serve a mare if reared along 
with a jennet. In raising mule-breeding jacks this is a 
factor of much importance. To mate with mares, a jack 
must be raised with mare colts and not permitted 
to smell a jennet until well trained to breed mares. If 
permitted to serve a jennet, he will often refuse to serve 
mares, and his usefulness as a mule breeder is at an end. 

MULE BREEDING 

As we have seen, the mule is a hybrid, and results 
from crossing a jack on a mare, the reciprocal cross 
being known as a hinny. The latter is seldom seen, 
because the stallion has an aversion to the jennet and 
will not often mate with her. It is asserted that the 
hinny takes more of the characters of the horse, the 
head being neater and the ears shorter than the mule, the 
hair in the mane and tail heavier and the foot larger. 
The bray is like the horse. 

Selecting mule-breeding stock. — Formerly very little 
attention was given to the choosing of either sire or dam 
in mule breeding. Thus, the mule of a decade ago was a 
small, ill-tempered and inferior animal, unsuited for most 
kinds of work. These early specimens were at once the 
contempt of all horsemen. Even though the modern 
mule is one of the most efficient working animals we 
have, he is held in more or less common prejudice be- 
cause of the inferiority of his early brother. 

Since the same general principles of breeding apply to 
the mule as to the horse, the same care should be exer- 



PRACTICAL MULE BREEDING 3OI 

cised in selecting both the jack and the mare, as suggested 
for the stallion and mare (p. 268). The market value of 
the mule will depend largely upon his size, conformation, 
quality, action and color. These factors should be taken 
into consideration in selecting the mule-breeding stock. 
Many breeders have fallen into the grievous way of con- 
sidering a mare for mule breeding when no longer suited 
for horse breeding. For some reason they seem to ex- 
pect such a mare to produce a good mule. This is ex- 
actly the cause of much of the prejudice against mule 
breeding. Not until due consideration is given the selec- 
tion of both jack and mare can we hope to raise our mule 
stock to the highest degree of efficiency obtainable. This 
applies to the individuality of both parents as well as to 
their suitability for mating. 

The type of mare to select will depend largely on the 
class of mule it is desired to produce. In breeding mules 
it is as important to study the market as in breeding 
horses. If it is desired to produce a light mule, such as 
mining mules, sugar mules, and the like, then mares of 
the light type should be selected. On the other hand, if 
the object is the production of draft mules, then the 
mares should be of the heavy or draft type (p. 320). The 
jack should be selected from the same point of view. 

Mare and mule foal. — In general, the care of the mare 
and mule foal should be the same as that suggested for 
the mare and horse foal (Chapters XXVII and XXVIII). 



CHAPTER XXX 
BREEDING HORSES FOR FARM AND MARKET 

Since the mass of horses that supply our markets and 
do our work are produced upon farms, we will consider 
the breeding of horses for farm work and for the market. 

Farm breeders' limitations. — The farmer should under- 
stand from the beginning that his task is the production 
of common working animals. He should understand 
that it is not possible for him to successfully produce 
race horses, coachers and saddlers. The production of 
these types must be left to the horse breeder who has the 
capital, time and facilities to put his stock into market 
condition. This is important and must be appreciated 
if farmers are to succeed as horse breeders. No other 
class of horses has been so extensively produced by our 
farmers as a low grade of speed horses, that is often so 
nervous as to be worthless upon the farm and that is 
not wanted upon any market because of the small size. 
True, there is an occasional horseman who may be 
classed as a farmer, and who is making a success of breed- 
ing and fitting these light types, but if his business be 
carefully examined it will be observed that he is placing 
his major efforts into the breeding and preparing of 
horses, while farming takes second place. 

While a well-bred and fast trotter or runner, a fashion- 
ably bred, well-educated and active coacher, and a well- 
trained and stylish saddler may command a fancy price, 
especially if a buyer can be located, yet the capital, time 
and skill required to breed and condition such animals are 
far beyond the average farmer. The production of these 
types is the work of skilled horse breeders, whose lives 
are wrapped up in their work, and who are located at 
great breeding establishments, where every circumstance 
favorable to development is provided. 



BREEDING HORSES FOR FARM AND MARKET 



303 



THE FARMER'S HORSE 

While the average farmer should not attempt to pro- 
duce fancy or fast horses, because of his lack of capital, 
time and facilities, yet he has certain advantages as a 
horse breeder that should be recognized and that should 
shape his course. The farmer uses horses extensively, 
and while the most efficient type of horse will depend 
to some extent upon the nature of the farm work, yet 
only the more useful 
types can be proper- 
ly employed, there 
being no work suit- 
able for race horses, 
coachers and sad- 
dlers. On most farms 
there is a large 
amount of cheap 
feed, which puts the 
horse industry on 
much the same basis 
as the beef industry. 
Further, most farms 
are provided with 
an abundant range, 
which affords facil- 
ities for exercising 
and growing young 
stock. While there 

may be many exceptions, the general trend of farm 
work is toward the horse possessing considerable weight, 
much endurance and good action. 

General-purpose horse. — On the average farm there is 
a variety of work to be done, some very heavy, as plow- 
ing, and demanding a heavy horse ; some rather moderate 
as drawing produce to market, and demanding an active 
moderate-sized horse ; and on the same farm there will 
be family driving, demanding a driving horse. To do 




Fig. 143. 



-Grade Percheron Colts Ready for 
Market 



304 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



this variety of work many farmers have sought to pro- 
duce a general-purpose horse, by which is meant an 
animal of all work. Since there is no breed of all-work 
horses, our farmers have taken it upon themselves to 
produce such animals by making various sorts of crosses. 
No doubt much of the indiscriminate crossing, which has 
resulted in our heterogeneous array of horse stock, was 
done in the hope of producing a general-purpose horse. 




FIG. 144. 



-SHIRE STALLIONS SUITABLE FOR BREEDING FARM OR 
MARKET HORSES 



It often happens that a breeder has made a very good 
start in developing a certain type of horse, say, a driving 
animal, when he concludes that the horse is too light to 
draw a plow and consequently mates with a draft horse in 
the hope of obtaining an offspring possessing the action 
of the roadster and something of the size and strength of 
the draft horse. On the other hand, another farmer may 
have developed a draft strain, when he concludes his 
animals are too heavy for the road and mates with a 
trotting horse. The offspring in either case proves a 



BREEDING HORSES FOR FARM AND MARKET 305 

disappointment, as anything in the horse line, except a 
useful animal, is likely to result from such crossing of 
types. It is this kind of breeding that results in animals 
with draft-horse bodies and trotting-horse legs, with big 
forequarters and small hindquarters, with big heads and 
little bodies, and with all sorts of irregular combinations. 
This method of breeding cannot be too strongly con- 
demned, as it is a menace to the horse-breeding industry. 

The draft horse for heavy work. — On grain farms, hay 
farms, stock farms, and the like, where there is much 
heavy work, such as plowing, dragging, harvesting and 
hauling, the draft horse is by far the most efficient. On 
such farms the draft horse finds his true home, and as 
there is work but a part of the year, the animals may be 
bred and raise a colt without serious inconvenience. 
The work is not so severe as to preclude the use of breed- 
ing mares. In fact, it is too expensive to keep geldings 
simply for the work they can do during the busy season. 
On farms of considerable size where three or more teams 
are kept one may be of the light type to take care of the 
light work and do the family driving. 

The light horse for light work. — On dairy farms, small 
truck and fruit farms, where there is a minimum amount 
of heavy work, and where the necessity of reaching the 
market demands light active horses, the light horse is 
most efficient. On such farms of considerable size where 
it is necessary to keep several teams, one should be of 
the draft type to take care of the heavy work, since as 
these farms increase in size there is much heavy work to 
be done. Perhaps there will not be the same opportunity 
to breed these animals as on grain, hay and stock farms, 
but it makes a clear distinction as to the type of horse 
likely to prove the most efficient. 

The one-team farm. — The same principle applies to the 
small farm as that suggested for the larger farm. If the 
major part of the work is heavy, the draft horse will prove 
<the most efficient ; while if the larger part of the work is 



306 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

light, the light horse will be the most useful. In breed- 
ing farm horses these principles should be kept clearly in 
mind, as the horse of all work is a myth, and the attempt 
to produce him will prove a disappointment. Many a 
small farmer has come to. grief because he provided for 
his family driving before his work and because he looked 
upon colt raising as causing too much trouble. 

THE MARKET HORSE 

Since the general farmer must keep more horses than 
he can provide with continuous work, in order that he 
may manage during the busy season, it has been sug- 
gested that he keep brood mares and raise colts, thus 
increasing the output from the farm. If the farmer 
breeds to a given type, as suggested above, this will 
prove a remunerative investment, although it will prob- 
ably fail if he breeds indiscriminately and without regard 
to type. The farmer breeding horses in this way should 
make a careful study of the market requirements and 
market classes of horses, especially as applies to his 
local market and to his individual conditions. 

Market requirements. — In breeding and fitting horses 
for the market there are a number of market require- 
ments that should be carefully considered. Chief among 
these requirements are the general appearance, education 
and disposition, soundness, quality, condition, action, age, 
color and sex. 

Appearance. — The general appearance of the horse has 
much to do with his market value. If able to shape him- 
self well in harness, a very plain horse often makes a 
stylish showing and thus commands a good price. The 
animal should show spirit and energy, which accom- 
panies good feeding. He should be well groomed, the 
hair short and sleek, lying close to the body and pos- 
sessing a luster which is indicative of thrift. The gen- 
eral form must be indicative of strength, endurance and 



BREEDING HORSES FOR FARM AND MARKET 2P7 

longevity. The various parts should be in the proper 
proportion, thus improving the general symmetry. 

Education. — The horse that is sent to market should be 
well educated to do the tasks he is expected to perform. 
The draft horse should be a fast walker and a good puller. 
He should be free from vice and bad habits. Among 
light horses education is of first importance, as the car- 
riage, coach and saddle horse will sell in proportion to 
their training. In this day of motor-driven carriages too 




FIG. 145.— BELGIAN MARES FOR BREEDING 

much stress cannot be placed upon the horse's education. 
The disposition is also very important, as a kindly dis- 
posed animal will outsell any other. This is emphasized 
in the case of branded horses, which do not command 
as high a price as native animals because of their timid 
and uncertain disposition. 

Soundness. — Perhaps no market requirement is of more 
importance than that of soundness. The market horse 
should be serviceably sound, or free from unsoundness 
that interferes with service. Such a horse may have 
slight blemishes, as small splints, puffs, and the like, 
but nothing is permitted that is likely to cause lameness 
or soreness in any way. 

Quality. — In market horses quality is of prime im- 
portance. In animals of quality the muscles stand out 
prominently and are clearly defined, which aids in giving 
a horse finish and indicates endurance. 



308 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Condition. — The market horse should be in good con- 
dition of flesh. This applies more especially to animals 
of the draft type. Possibly this added flesh does not in- 
crease the horse's real value for utility and longevity, 
but the market demands it and the horse producer should 
supply it. Many horses find their v^^ay to market in poor 
condition, and some persons make a good profit in buy- 
ing these thin animals, and shipping them to the country 
to be fitted, after w^hich they are shipped back to the 
market and resold. Careful estimates place the value of 
horse flesh at 25 cents per pound on heavy horses weigh- 
ing 1,500 pounds and upward. The farmer who is pro- 
ducing horses for the market cannot afford to let some 
one else reap this profit. 

Action. — The action is an important market considera- 
tion, although not of equal importance in all types and 
classes of horses. With the single exception of sound- 
ness, action is by far the more important requirement in 
carriage, road and saddle horses. Perhaps too little at- 
tention is paid to action in heavy horses, particularly the 
rapidity of the walk. Many heavy horses are notoriously 
slow walkers and their efficiency is handicapped to that 
extent. 

Age. — The market favors horses from five to eight 
years of age, depending on the maturity and the class. 
Heavy horses sell best at five to seven years old, but a 
well matured four-year-old will find a ready sale. Since 
the lighter types do not mature so early, and since their 
education requires more time, they sell better with a little 
more age, about six to eight years. 

Color. — ^On the market, horses of solid color are pre- 
ferred to those that fade. The demand is good for bays, 
browns, blacks, chestnuts, sorrels and roans. In light 
horses bays, browns and chestnuts sell best. In all 
classes matched pairs sell better than single horses. 
White is more or less discriminated against, as is "Rm" 
bitten gray," "mealy bay," and the likeu 



BREEDING HORSES FOR FARM AND MARKET 3O9 

Sex. — While the sex is of no great importance, the city 
trade favors geldings. This is due to the liability of the 
mare being in foal, and to the recurrence of her periods 
of heat, which are objectionable, as many mares are less 
efficient when in such condition. For the farm trade, 
however, mares are often preferred, as many farmers buy 
horses with the expectation of breeding them. 

Breed. — The farmer who is raising horses with the 
expectation of marketing his surplus stock, is often at a 
loss to know what breed to choose. The breed is of less 
importance than the individual excellence. Fine speci- 
mens of any breed will find a ready sale at a good price. 
The farmer should study his local market closely, and if 
it favors any one breed he will do well to raise what his 
market demands. 

Matched teams. — The importance of uniformity is em- 
phasized by the fancy price a well-matched team of horses 
will command. The matching of horses is very profitable 
and many persons make a business of buying horses 
singly, then matching them, and selling them in pairs. 
To be successful, however, this requires native ability and 
skill on the part of the horseman as it is really a difficult 
task to match two horses in all of the important char- 
acters. 



CHAPTER XXXI 

MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 

In our large horse markets, horses are classified accord- 
ing to the work they can perform. On any given mar- 
ket, a market class is a group of animals similar in type, 
height, weight and action. While classes go by a cer- 
tain name all over the country, the kind of horse that is 
referred to in one part of the country by one name may 
be very different from the horse referred to by the same 
term in another section. Thus, the Boston wagon horse, 
the New York wagon horse and the Pittsburgh wagon 
horse are three different kinds, although they are all 
wagon horses. The same is true of practically all the 
classes, and the breeder who is producing horses and the 
feeder who is fitting horses for market should become 
familiar with the classes upon the market where his stock 
is to be sold. 

MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES* 

In this classification, horses are divided into classes, 
sub-classes and grades. The classes embody groups of 
horses of a general type. The sub-classes are divisions 
of the class and distinguish horses of a similar type, but 
slightly different in size, weight, or the use to which they 
are put. The grades of the various sub-classes refer to the 
quality, condition and action, the relative importance of 
which is not the same for all classes. The principal 
grades are choice, good, medium, common and inferior. 
The various grades will not be discussed because of the 
lack of uniformity in their application. The principal 
classes are draft horses, chunks, wagon horses, carriage 

*Made up from Illinois Bulletin 122, and applies to the Chicago and St. Louis 
horse markets. 

310 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 



311 



a longer neck 
is desired by 



horses, road horses and saddle horses, to which may be 
added feeders and range horses. 

Draft horses. — Horses of the draft class should be 
broad, massive individuals v^ith symmetry of bone and 
muscle, standing from 15.3 to 17.2 hands high, and in 
good flesh, weighing not less than 1,600 pounds. The 
general form of the draft horse will vary somewhat ac- 
cording to the market under consideration. European 
markets, especially the British markets, demand a more 
upstanding draft horse, 
with 
than 

American markets. 
New York, being a 
great shipping port, de- 
mands larger and more 
upstanding horses than 
any other city in the 
United States. This is 
because of the large 
wagons used and 
heavy loading for the 
docks. The large 
amount of business 
done and the long waits 
necessary to be made 

before a place can be had at the docks to unload, have 
caused merchants to adopt the use of heavy wagons, thus 
making a good demand for the large upstanding horse. 
On the other hand, the dray work of Boston being lighter 
than that of New York, smaller and lighter wagons are 
used, and consequently the demand has been for a low- 
set, smaller horse, although the conditions are rapidly 
changing and the demand is now for a larger horse. 

The draft horse class is composed of heavy draft horse, 
light draft horse and the logger, all of which are of much 
the same general type. The heavy draft horse includes 



dk 




1 








r 




^^-il^kJ 




1 












S|W '' \ A 


W - ".-''-*^ 


HI ~ 













Fig. 146. 



-Heavy Draft Geldings, Weight, 
4,000 Pounds 



312 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



the heavier weights of the draft class, standing from i6 
to 17.2 hands high and weighing from 1,750 to 2,200 
pomids. The light draft horse, which is similar in type, 
but smaller, stands from_ 15.3 to 16.2 hands high and 



rlMKM 


^ 


■"^% 


\ *^^ 








^taM^^^^^^^ 


^ 


^^^^H 




■^H 


^^^^^^H 




^^^1 


} ^Bw 




I^^H 


'"' ^^fl^p 




l^^9 


> 




s^^oH^^I 


r ' 




^^^H 


fci^-'^^ ^ „'-.^.:,-../. 2*'„«- :r'C: 


^^i"^.--"k..-'. -Mf')" :;».-- -''«iT-^t; 


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FIG. 147.— PERCHERON GRADE. WEIGHT, 1,925 POUNDS AT 4 YEARS OLD 



weighs from i,6oo to 1,750 pounds. While 15.3 hands 
is accepted as the minimum height for light draft horses, 
occasionally 15.2 horses are included, although it should 
be understood that they are less desirable than 
taller ones, and border closely on the type known as 
eastern chunks. Loggers are horses of the draft class 
that were formerly bought to go to the lumbering woods, 
where they were used for logging purposes, hence the 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 



313 



name loggers. While they still fill this demand, they are 
also used extensively for other work. In such instances 
the trade demands a comparatively cheap horse, and yet 
must possess size and strength. Because of the price 
paid, this trade is usually compelled to take the plainer, 
rougher horses of the heavy draft type that are slightly 
blemished. Loggers, therefore, should stand from 16. i 
to 17.2 hands high and weigh from 1,700 to 2,200 pounds. 




FIG. 148.— EXPORT CHUNK. WEIGHT, 1,550 POUNDS 



Chunks. — This class takes its name from the conforma- 
tion of the horse, rather than from the use to which he is 
put, although the prefix given the sub-class is indicative 
of the use. Chunks stand 15 to i6 hands high and weigh 
from 800 to 1,550 pounds. This class is composed of 
eastern, farm and southern chunks. 

The eastern or export chunk was formerly known as 
the Boston chunk, but as the trade has widened to other 
cities and some are exported, they have become known b}^ 
the general name of eastern or export chunk. As the 



314 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

name signifies, they are very massive and compact, stand- 
ing 15 to 16 hands high, rarely exceeding 15.3, and weigh- 
ing from 1,300 to 1,550 pounds, depending on size and 
condition. 

Farm chunks are not so massive or so heavy as eastern 
chunks. They are bought to be used on the farms and 
are found in greatest numbers on the markets at the seat 
son of the year when crops are being planted, particularly 
in the spring. Farm chunks are usually light in bone and 
often slightly blemished or unsound, as farmers do not 
usually care to pay high prices. They stand from 15 to 
15.3 hands high and weigh from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds. 

Southern chunks are not so heavy or so massive as 
either farm or eastern chunks. They are rather fine of 
bone, possessing an abundance of quality, and are more 
rangy in conformation, having more of the light horse 
blood in their veins. These chunks are used by the 
southern merchant as well as the southern planter. The 
southern farmer does not cultivate deeply and the soils 
are light, consequently he does not require a very large 
horse, although the trend of the market is for larger 
horses. The southern chunk stands from 15 to 15.2 
hands high and weighs from 800 to 1,250 pounds. 

Wagon horses. — Animals suitable for quick delivery 
are termed wagon horses. They must be closely coupled, 
compactly built, with plenty of constitution and stamina. 
They must be good actors, possessing a good clean set of 
limbs with plenty of bone and quality, and good feet that 
will stand the wear of the paved streets. Wagon horses 
stand 15 to 16.2 hands high and weigh from 1,100 to 1,500 
pounds. This class is composed of express horses and 
delivery wagon horses. 

Express horses are used by the express companies, and 
vary in size and weight according to the nature and 
weight of goods handled and the territory from which 
trade is drawn. Thus, if the business of a company is 
centrally located in a city and depots are not far apart. 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 



315 



they use larger horses and load heavier than if the busi- 
ness is done in the outlying parts of a city and the 
depots are considerable distances apart, in which case 
lighter horses with more action are demanded. The size 
of the horse, therefore, depends on the weight of the 
wagon to which he is hitched. A typical express horse 
is rather an upstanding, deep-bodied, closely coupled 
horse with good bone, an abundance of quality, energy 




FIG. 149.— WAGON HORSES. WEIGHT, 3,400 POUNDS 



and spirit. He stands from 15.2 to 16.2 hands high and 
weighs from 1,350 to 1,500 pounds. 

Delivery wagon horses, or as they are usually termed, 
wagon horses, are similar to express horses, but the class 
is broader in its scope, including horses of common and 
inferior grades, as well as of good and choice grades. 
The demand for delivery wagon horses is large and comes 
from all kinds of retail and wholesale mercantile houses, 
such as meat shops, milk houses, grocery houses, dry- 
goods firms, hardware merchants, and the like. As a 
rule, delivery horses are not so large as express horses 
and not of as high a grade, as most mercantile firms are 



3l6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF PIORSES 

not very liberal buyers and consequently get a cheaper 
grade of horses. There are exceptions to this, however, 
as some large department stores use their deliveries as 
an advertisement and buy very choice horses. The con- 
formation of the delivery horse is practically the same as 
the express horse, except that they are not quite so large, 
standing 15 to i6 hands high and weighing 1,100 to 1,400 
pounds. 

Carriage horses. — As the name implies, this class of 
horses is used on the various heavyweight vehicles, and 
is often referred to as the ''heavy harness" class. The 




FIG. 150.— COACH HORSES OF STYLISH ACTION 

animals of this class are plump, full, smoothly turned, 
high headed and stylish, with an unusual amount of 
quality. They must possess high, stylish action, with 
a fair amount of speed. Carriage horses vary much in 
height and weight, according to the sub-class to which 
they belong. They stand 14.1 to 16.1 hands high and 
weigh from 900 to 1,250 pounds. This class is composed 
of coach horses, cobs, park horses and cab horses. 

The coach horse is the largest of the carriage horse 
class, standing 15.1 to 16. i hands high and weighing from 
1,100 to 1,250 pounds. Weight, however, is not so im- 
portant as with draft and wagon horses, the principal 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 317 

requirement being high, stylish action combined with 
beauty of form. The entire outline of the horse should 
be carried out in easy, graceful curves, pleasing to the 
eye. Cobs are the smallest of the carriage horse class, 
standing from 14. i to 15.1 hands high and weighing from 
900 to 1,150 pounds. This sub-class is of English origin. 
Cobs are small horses of a stocky build with plenty of 
quality, good length of neck, a neat head, and high action, 
carrying the knees high and bringing the hocks well 
under the body. 

Park horses possess much of the coach horse type in 
that they possess symmetrical, well rounded bodies, an 
abundance of qualit}^ and flashy action. As the name 
indicates, they are strictly dress horses. They must be 
well trained, as they are often hitched tandem to a gig. 
Park horses stand from 15 to 15.2 hands high and weigh 
from 1,000 to 1,150 pounds. Cab horses are of much the 
same type as coach horses, except that they are of a 
lower grade, in fact many discarded coach horses are 
sold for cab use. The principal quality sought is sym- 
metry of form combined with endurance. Cab horses 
stand from 15.2 to 16. i hands high and weigh from 1,050 
to 1,200 pounds. 

Road horses. — This class embraces the lighter weights 
of harness horses which are commonly spoken of as 
drivers or "light harness" horses. They are lithe in build 
and more angular in form than those of the carriage 
class. The use to which they are put demands that they 
be able to cover distance in the quickest possible time 
without fatigue. Performance is the principal quality 
sought, but a good conformation is almost as desirable. 
Road horses stand 14.3 to 16 hands high and weigh from 
900 to 1,150 pounds. This class consists of roadsters 
and runabout horses. 

The roadster lacks the symmetry of form and the finish 
of the carriage horse. The body is more angular, the 
croup is more drooping and the width not so well carried 



3l8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

out, the thighs and quarters are not so deep or so well 
rounded out with muscle, and the rear flank is more 
tucked up, giving the general form of a greyhound. 
Action, stamina and endurance are the principal require- 
ments. The roadster stands from 15 to 16 hands high 
and weighs from 900 to 1,150 pounds. 

The runabout horse occupies an intermediate place be- 
tween the roadster and the cob. He is not so lithe in 
build or so angular in conformation as the former, but is 
lither and more angular than the latter. He lacks the long, 
free open stride of the roadster, but is bolder, more 
frictionless and straighter than the cob. Because of the 
harness worn by the runabout horses, some authorities 
class them as carriage horses, but on account of their 
action, conformation and use, it seems more proper to 
class them as road horses. Runabout horses are rather 
short legged, standing from 14.3 to 15.2 hands high and 
weighing from 900 to 1,050 pounds. 

Saddle horses. — The requirements for saddle horses are 
surefootedness, ease of carriage to the rider, good man- 
ners and ease of control. The action should be free, 
easy and frictionless, with no inclination to mix the gaits. 
It need not be extremely high, but the horse should keep 
his feet well under his body so that there will be little 
danger of stumbling or falling in case he should slip. 
The general form should be symmetrical and stylish. 
The neck should be moderately long, as this insures ease 
of handling and smoothness of carriage. In order to 
carry weight the back should be short, level and closely 
coupled, while the quarters should be straight and well 
muscled. The saddle horse stands 14.3 to 16.1 hands 
high and weighs 900 to 1,250 pounds. This class is com- 
posed of the five-gaited saddler, which stands 15 to 16 
hands and weighs 900 to 1,200 pounds; the three-gaited 
saddler, which stands 14.3 to 16 hands high and weighs 
900 to 1,200 pounds; the hunter, which stands 15.2 to 
16. 1 hands high, and weighs 1,000 to 1,250; the cavalry 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 



319 



horse, which stands 15 to 15.3 and weighs 950 to 1,100; 
and the polo pony, which stands 14 to 14.2 hands high, 
weighing 850 to 1,000 pounds. 

Range horses. — During certain seasons of the year 
there may be found on the market horses bred and reared 
on the range. These are known as range horses, and are 
divided into two general classes, light and heavy, accord- 
ing to the predominance of light or draft horse blood. 
Most of these horses find their way to the country where 
they are trained, fitted and returned to the market to be 
resold. 

Feeders. — Thin horses, purchased to be put into condi- 
tion and resold, are called feeders. While they may 
belong to any of the market classes, by far the greater 
number are draft horses, chunks or wagon horses. The 
old adage, ''A little fat covers a multitude of defects," is 




FIG. 151.— IRISH HUNTER 



320 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

true, and the value of flesh when put on a thm horse is 
difficult to overestimate (p. 344). 

MARKET CLASSES OF MULES 

The mule market, though of more recent origin than 
the horse market, has grown to be a business of great 
magnitude and importance. In most respects the trad- 
ing in mules is similar to that of horses; this is par- 
ticularly true of the market requirements. As in horses, 
the market classes of mules are determined by the UvSe 
to which they are put. In the East St. Louis market, 
which is the largest mule market in the world, there are 
five market classes : Draft mules, farm mules, cotton 
mules, sugar mules and mining mules. Mules are also 
graded according to height in hands. 

Draft mules. — These animals do the same work as draft 
horses. They are preferred by grading contractors and 
for heavy teaming in cities located in warm climates, as 
they have great endurance and are able to stand the hot sun. 
Draft mules .stand from 16 to 17.2 hands high and weigh from 
1,200 to 1,600 pounds. As in draft horses, the principal 
quality sought is combined weight and strength. They 
should be large and rugged, with heavy bone and strong 
muscles, the back should be strong, the body deep and 
closely coupled, the croup not too drooping, the thighs 
and quarters heavily muscled and the feet should be large. 

Farm mules. — Mules purchased for agricultural pur- 
poses are known on the market as farm mules. They are 
rather lacking in uniformity, standing 15.2 to 16 hands 
high and weighing from 1,000 to 1,300 pounds. They are 
likely to be plain looking and thin in flesh, though pos- 
sessing good constitution, bone and feet and the qualities 
necessary for future development. Many of them are 
worked for a time, then fattened, and returned to market, 
when they sell in some of the higher priced classes. 

Mining mules. — Mules purchased to operate mines are 



MARKET CLASSES OF HORSES AND MULES 32 1 

called mining mules. They are used to haul cars of coal 
or ore to the hoisting shafts. These mules are massive, 
having deep bodies and short legs. They stand from 12 
to 16 hands high and weigh from 600 to 1,350 pounds, 
the height being determined by the depth of the vein 
worked. Geldings are preferred to mare mules for this 
trade. 

Cotton mules. — These are small, light-boned mules, 
used in the South on cotton plantations. They possess 
much quality and finish and are taller in proportion than 
mining mules. Cotton mules stand 13.2 to 15.2 hands 
high and weigh from 750 to 1,100 pounds. Mare mules 
sell better than geldings in this class. 

Sugar mules. — These are mules purchased to be used 
on the sugar farms of the southern states. They arj 
taller, larger and more breedy looking, with quality and 
finish, and have heavier bone than cotton mules. They 
stand 16 to 17 hands high and weigh from 1,150 to 1,300 
pounds. Mare mules are the more popular. 

Export mules. — During the past few years an export 
trade of considerable importance has developed. The 
size and type of mules exported are determined by the 
use to which they are put, and the country to which they 
are sent. Since some are used for army service, some 
for agriculture, some for heavy teaming, and others in 
the mines, it is apparent that they lack uniformity of 
type. 

RULES OF AUCTION 

In the auction ring, sales are made under certain well- 
understood rules which are published and are announced 
from the auction stand, and serve as a guarantee. The 
following are the more important rules : 

Sound. — Perfectly sound in every way. 

Serviceably sound. — Practically a sound animal, bar- 
ring slight blemishes, which do not interfere with his use- 
fulness in any way. 



322 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Wind and work. — The animal must have good wind 
and be a good worker, nothing more. 

Work only. — He must be a good worker, nothing more. 

Legs go. — The animal must be serviceably sound in all 
respects but his legs, on which no guarantee is placed. 

At the halter. — Sold just as he stands without any 
recommendation. 

Some market terms. — On the large horse market there 
are a number of terms used to designate undesirable char- 
acters, of which the following are the more important : 

A bull. — Horse with unsound wind. 

Bush. — To deduct a part of the stated sale price because 
the horse was not as represented. 

Coon footed. — Long and low pasterns. 

Green horse. — Not thoroughly trained. 

Hipped. — One hip lower than the other. 

Hog back. — A roach back. 

Jack. — A bone spavin. 

Light in the timber. — Light bones. 

Lunker. — A big heavy boned horse. 

Michigan pad. — A puff below the hock. 

Nicked. — Operation severing cords on one side of the 
tail to straighten it. 

Parrot mouth. — Upper jaw longer than lower one. 

Rough behind. — Having a bone spavin. 

Rounding hock. — Having a curb. 

Smooth mouth. — An aged horse. 

Speck in eye. — Spot on eye may impair sight. 

Stump sucker. — A cribber. 

Whistler. — Defective wind. 



CHAPTER XXXII 
PRINCIPLES OF HORSE FEEDING 

To become skilled in horse feeding we should have a 
knowledge of the principles of feeding. The broader our 
understanding of the composition of the animal body, the 
composition of food, its use and digestibility, and the 
more familiar we are with the function of the various 
food materials, the more intelligently can we choose the 
foods that the body needs for maintenance and energy. 

The animal body. — The body of the animal is com- 
posed of water and dry matter. Approximately one-halt 
of the body weight consists of water, which the animal 
obtains largely from the water it drinks, though a por- 
tion may come from the food, particularly when the 
animal is given succulent food, as grass, carrots, and the 
like. The water of the body serves a number of pur- 
poses, chief of which are the conveying of the food from 
the digestive tract to those parts of the body where it is 
used, the removing of the waste of the body and equaliz- 
ing body temperature. 

Dry matter of the body. — To gain a clear conception of 
the relation of the food to the body, the dry matter may 
be divided in four groups of substances, as follows : Ash, 
nitrogenous materials, carbohydrates and fats. The ash 
is the mineral part of the body, and constitutes from 2 to 
5% of the live weight. It occurs mostly in the bones. 
The nitrogenous materials are known by a variety of 
names, the most common being protein, which is char- 
acterized by the nitrogen it contains. These materials 
occur mostly in the lean meat, skin, hoofs and hair. The 
protein of the body is built up entirely from the protein 
of the food. 

Very little carbohydrate material exists in the body, 
except in the blood. The liver acts as a kind of store- 



324 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

house for this material and regulates the supply to the 
blood in such a manner that the muscles receive a uni- 
form amount. It is also probable that the liver has the 
pov^er to make carbohydrates from the fats and protein 
of the food. The quantity of fats in the body varies whh 
the condition of the animal. They are found in all parts 
of the body and almost pure in the fatty tissues. It is 
probable that fats can be made from protein and carbo- 
hydrates as well as obtained from the fats of the food. 

THE FOOD 

Any material that an animal can take into the diges- 
tive organs and from v\^hich matter can be absorbed for 
the nourishment of the body may be considered as food. 
The value of food depends, among other things, on its 
composition and digestibility. There is a tendency to 
ignore this, and a ton of one food such as oats is often 
considered as valuable as a ton of another such as corn, 
whereas the materials actually available to the animal 
may be much larger in one case than in the other. Thus, 
in feeding horses the available nutrients of the food 
should be considered. 

Composition of food. — As in the case of the animal 
body, the common foods are made up of water and dry 
matter, while the dry matter consists of ash, protein, car- 
bohydrates and fats. Of these the protein, carbohydrates 
and fats are spoken of as the nutrients, since they fur- 
nish the body with the necessary matter and energy. 

Water. — All foods, even the driest, contain some water. 
The amount varies widely in different foods, running as 
low as 8% in some of the concentrated foods to as high as 
90% in some of the more succulent foods. Even dry hay 
varies in this respect, alfalfa containing only 6.5%, while 
some of the clovers run as high as 20%. Water is not a 
nutrient, therefore its presence is an important factor in 
determining the value of a food. 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE FEEDING 



325 



Ash. — Mineral matter is also present in all common 
foods, although it forms but a small part, corn containing 
only 1.5% per cent, while alfalfa, one of the highest, con- 
tains only 10%. Most foods, however, contain sufficient 
ash to meet the needs of the animal, corn and some pre- 
pared foods being the only exceptions. Young growing 
animals require more ash than mature ones. 

Protein.- — Of the three nutrients, the protein is con- 
sidered to be the most important. This is because pro- 




FIG. 152.— PERCHERON STALLION "HYSLOPE" 



tein is essential to the animal, the only source of animal 
protein being the protein of the food, and because the 
percentage of protein in most foods is relatively small. 
Because of the importance of protein, the value of the 
food depends very largely upon the amount of this con- 
stituent that it contains. While the percentage of 
digestible protein in most foods is comparatively low, it 



326 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

varies through wide limits, corn containing only 8%, 
while cottonseed meal runs as high as Zl^^^- 

Carbohydrates. — Most of the common foods contain 
relatively large amounts of carbohydrate material. There 
are two groups of carbohydrates — nitrogen-free extract 
and crude fiber. The nitrogen-free extract is composed 
largely of starches and sugars. It constitutes a relatively 
high percentage of the dry matter in some of our common 
plants, corn, wheat and potatoes running as high as 75% 
starch. Of the various nutrients, nitrogen-free extract 
is the most easily digested, while fiber, which constitutes 
the tough, woody part of plants, is mostly insoluble and, 
hence, largely indigestible. Fiber, therefore, is the least 
valuable of the nutrients. It is noteworthy that young 
plants contain less fiber than plants that have matured 
and formed seed. The percentage of digestible carbo- 
hydrates varies widely in different foods, running as low 
as 17% in flaxseed and as high as 70% in some of the 
cereal grains. 

Fats. — While all food contains some fat, it is present 
in rather small quantities in all the natural foods. It 
occurs in largest quantities in the seed, and varies widely, 
running less than 2% in r3^e to 36% in flaxseed. Since 
the oil content of the food is determined by extracting 
the fat with ether, the tables of composition designate 
the fat as ether extract. A given weight of fat will de- 
velop from two to three times as much heat energy as an 
equal weight of carbohydrates. 

USES OF THE FOOD 

Animals need food to maintain their existence, which is 
dependent on matter and energy. While there are a 
number of uses to which the energy and matter of the 
food may be put, they can all be summed up in the fol- 
lowing table: 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE FEEDING 327 

Uses of the Matter and the Energy of the Food 



1. To support life. 



2. To reproduce life. 

3. To yield some product 

4. To perform labor. 



a. To maintain body temperature 

b. To repair waste tissue 

c. To form new tissue 

d. To supply muscular activity of the vital processes 

f a. Stored up as fat or flesh in the tissue 

1 b. Secreted in the form of milk or wool 



Digestibility of food. — The value of a food depends, not 
alone upon its composition, but upon the digestibility of 
the various materials of which it is composed. To aid 
in an understanding of the digestibility of food, we will 
review briefly the process of digestion, in which the food 
materials pass on their way from the food as such to the 
flesh and energy of the animal body. 

Digestion. — This is largely a process of solution, aided 
by chemical changes that take place through the action 
of ferments. The digestive organs form a canal through 
the body and the food in its passage through this canal is 
acted upon by these ferments. Each ferment has a 
special work to do in the process of digestion. The food 
is first taken into the mouth, where it is masticated and 
reduced to fine particles, in order that the digestive juices 
may better do their work. This also puts the food in 
condition to be swallowed. During this mastication 
there is a digestive fluid, called saliva, poured upon the 
food, which moistens it and changes a part of the starch. 

This material now enters the stomach, where it comes in 
contact with a digestive fluid, called gastric juice, which 
changes a part of the protein. It next enters the small 
intestines, where it comes in contact with two digestive 
fluids — the bile from the liver and the pancreatic juice 
from the pancreas. The former prepares the material 
for the action of the latter, which has a complex function, 
acting upon the proteids, starches and fats. Digestive 
juices secreted by the walls of the intestines as the ma- 



328 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

terial passes along still further complete the process, 
although a part of the food escapes digestion and passes 
out in the feces. During its course along the digestive 
tract, the digested material is absorbed and received into 
the vessels, through v^hich it is distributed to the various 
parts of the body. 

Digestible nutrients. — These are parts of the food ma- 
terials that are digested and used by the animal. The 
amount of the food thus digested depends on the kind of 
food, the amount fed, the condition of the animal and 
like factors. Of the various food materials, the carbo- 
hydrates are the most digestible, wh'ilQ fiber is the least 
digestible, and betv^een these lie fat and protein. As a 
rule, the fat is more digestible than the protein. In gen- 
eral the digestibility of a food decreases w^hen exceed- 
ingly large amounts are fed. On the other hand, a 
greater digestibility cannot be secured by limiting the 
consumption below the normal amount demanded by the 
animal. In general, thrifty animals digest their food 
more thoroughly than those in poor health. 

Since the digestible nutrients are the only food mate- 
rials that the animal can appropriate to its use, it is w^ith 
them that the feeder is concerned in choosing food for a 
ration. Much work has been done by the various ex- 
periment stations to determine the digestibility of foods. 
To show at a glance the amount of digestible nutrients 
contained in the various foods, T?ble VIII is published 
in the Appendix of this book (p. 448). 

Conditions favoring digestion. — The changes that take 
place in the food materials during the process of diges- 
tion are very complex and proceed in accordance with 
fixed laws. While these changes are largely beyond the 
control of the feeder there are certain conditions that 
favor the completeness of digestion, chief of which are 
time of harvesting and method of curing hay as well as 
the grinding. and wetting of certain kinds of foods. 

The time to harvest hay, so as to get the maximum 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE FEEDING 329 

amount of digestible material, is before the nutrients 
have been transferred from the stock to the seed. The 
seeds are so small and hard that they are not digested 
by the animal. Hence, hay that is cut when ripe is not 
so digestible as that cut before the seeds ripen, and while 
the food materials are 3^et in the growing parts. In addi- 
tion, the riper the hay the more fiber it contains, and this 
further reduces the digestibility of the hay. Hay cured 
under adverse conditions, such as exposure to rain, when 
leaching occurs, loses in digestibility. 

Grinding certain kinds of food promotes digestion by 
increasing the surface exposed to the action of the diges- 
tive juices. This applies especially to small hard grains, 
as when such grains are fed whole, many pass through 
the digestive tract entire. Further, grinding saves the 
animal the energy of crushing the grain. Wetting, 
steaming, cooking, and like processes, are used with the 
several foods preparatory to feeding, with the view of 
rendering them more acceptable to the animal. When 
increased efficiency occurs, it is due to more complete 
digestion rather than to added nutritive value. 

KINDS OF RATIONS 

A ration may be defined as the quantity of food that 
will be consumed by an animal weighing i,ooo pounds 
in 24 hours. In forming a ration there are a number of 
factors to be considered, chief of which are the amount 
of dry matter required, the digestibility of the ration, the 
nutritive ratio, the variety in the ration, the suitability of 
the foods, and the cost of the ration. Rations are com- 
monly divided into two general classes according to the 
conditions ; thus we have rations for maintenance and 
rations for production. 

Maintenance rations. — The food required to meet the 
needs of a resting animal without loss or gain in bod}^ 
substance is called a maintenance ration. This includes 



330 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the amount of food required to support life, such as main- 
taining body temperature, repairing waste tissue, pro- 
viding for the muscular activity of vital processes, and 
the like. The demands on the body for maintenance are 
for the production of muscular energy and heat; there- 
fore, the maintenance ration may consist largely of car- 
bohydrate material. This is an important observation 
in the v/intering of idle horses. 

Productive rations. — After the body needs have been 
supplied, the food that goes to the production of some 
useful product, as labor in the case of the horse, is called 
a productive ration. It is the food consumed in excess 
of the amount required for maintenance that enables the 
animal to produce a useful product. A productive ration, 
therefore, may be looked upon as consisting of two parts, 
the food of maintenance plus the food of production. In 
forming a productive ration, we should give the animal all 
of the food he will consume and make sufficient returns 
for in production. This requires careful consideration, 
as the amount of production is not always in proportion 
to the food consumed in excess of that required for main- 
tenance. In this respect the individuality of the animal 
plays an important part ; thus we have horses that are 
hard keepers or easy keepers, as the case may be. This 
variation among individual horses is so great that feed- 
ing standards can be used only as mere guides. 

Feeding standards. — Many experiments have been 
conducted to determine the relation between the amount 
of muscular work performed and the food required per 
day. As a result of such work we have two classes of 
standards for the work horse, the Wolff- Lehmann, based 
upon the digestible nutrients, and the Kellner or 
Armsby, based upon the energy. Before we can use the 
former it is necessary to know the digestible nutrients 
in the food (p. 448), and before we can use the latter it is 
necessary to know the energy value of the food (p. 447). 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 



331 



Wolff-Lehmann Standard, Showing the Amount of 
Digestible Nutrients Required Per 1,000 Pounds Live 
Weight for Horses at Light, Medium and Heavy 
Work 





Dr> 

matter 


Digestible nutrients 




Condition of 
animal 


Protein 


Carbo- 
hydrates 


Fat 


Nutritive 
ratio 


Light work .... 
Medium work. . 
Heavy work. . . 


20.0 
24.0 
26.0 


1.5 
2.0 

2.5 


9.5 
11.0 
13.3 


0.4 
0.6 

0.8 


1 :7.0 
1 :6.2 
1 :6.0 



Armsby Standard, Showing the Amo.unt of Digestible 
Protein and Energy Required Per 1,000 Pounds Live 
Weight for Horses at Light, Medium and Heavy 
Work 



Condition of animal 


Digestible protein, pounds 


Energy value, therms 


Light work 


1.0 
1.4 
2.0 


9.80 


Medium work 


12.40 




16.00 







Balanced ration. — Foods vary widely in composition 
and they also vary considerably from the composition of 
the animal body. To meet the needs of the animal it be- 
comes necessary to mix the foods in the proper propor- 
tion, so that the digestible nutrients w^ill correspond to 
the demands of the body. This is called balancing a 
ration. Skill in balancing a ration depends much upon 
our knowledge of the digestible nutrients contained in the 
more common foods. It is rather a tedious undertaking, 
however, as there is no mathematical formula, and we 
must add to or take from the trial ration until the desired 
standard is obtained. 

Nutritive ratio. — Since the only source of the protein 
of the body is the protein of the food, this nutrient plays 
an important part in the balancing of a ration. So im- 



332 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



portant is this nutrient that rations are balanced accord- 
ing to the proportion of it they contain. Thus we have 
the nutritive-ratio, which is defined as the ratio between 
the digestible protein on the one hand, and the digestible 

carbohydrates and 
fats on the other 
hand. The nutri- 
tive-ratio is ascer- 
tained by multi- 
plying the diges- 
tible fats by 2j4, 
adding the prod- 
uct to the diges- 
tible carbohy- 
drates, and divid- 
ing their sum by 
the digestible pro- 
tein. Since the 
fat contains more 
energy than the 
other nutrients, it is multiplied by 2^ to reduce it to a 
carbohydrate equivalent. 

The method of calculating the nutritive-ratio of corn, 
the digestible nutrients of which are, protein 7.8, carbo- 
hydrates 66.8 and fat 4.3, is as follows : 




Fig. 153. — Shire Stallion "Dan Patch" 



Fat 
4.3 



Heat equivaltnt 

2i 

Carbohydrates 

66.8 

Protein 

7.8 



9.675 

Carbohydrates 
9.675 + 66.8 ^ 1(>A1S 

76.475 -^ 7.8 = 9.8 

Nutritive ratio i : 9.8. — This means that for each pound 
of digestible protein in corn, there are 9.8 pounds of diges- 
tible carbohydrate equivalent. 

Computing rations. — To illustrate the method of cal- 
culating a ration for a given purpose we will assume the 
case of a horse weighing approximately 1,000 pounds and 
at light work. In order to compare the Wolff- Lehmann 
and Armsby standards we will take the same kind and 
amount of food in each computation. Let us choose from 



PRINCIPLES OF HORSE BREEDING 



333 



Table VIII of the Appendix, 12 pounds of timothy hay, 
five pounds of corn and five pounds of oats. If we arrange 
these in a table and compute the digestible nutrients in 
each, according to the Wolff-Lehmann method, we get 
the following: 



Food 


Dry matter 


Protein 


Carbo- 
hydrates 


Fats 


12 pounds timothy hay. . 


10.41 
4.47 
4.48 

19.36 


0.33 
0.39 
0.44 

1.16 


5.08 
3.34 
2.46 


0.15 
0.21 


5 pounds oats 


0.21 




10.88 


0.57 



According to the Wolff-Lehmann standard (p. 331), 
this ration is deficient in protein and rich in carbo- 
hydrates, thereby giving a nutritive-ratio of i : 10.4, 
instead of I : 7.0, as called for in the standard. Accord- 
ing to this standard, the ration could be improved by the 
addition of one pound of linseed meal. 

Let us use the same food and calculate a ration by the 
Armsby standard (p. 331) for a 1,000-pound horse at light 
work. Taking the composition from Table VII of the 
Appendix and arranging the nutrients and energy in a 
table, we get the following: 



Food 


Dry matter 


Digestible protein, 
pounds 


Energy value, 
therms 


12 pounds timothy hay 

5 pounds com 

5 pounds oats 


10.416 
4.455 
4.450 


0.246 
0.339 
0.418 


4.027 
4.442 
3.313 




19.321 


1.003 


11.782 



According to the Armsby standard this ration, al- 
though composed of the same kind and amount of food 
as before, is slightly too rich in digestible protein and 
considerably so in energy value. This serves to em- 
phasize the statement that feeding standards should 
serve as mere guides, to be modified according to atten- 
dant conditions. 



CHAPTER XXXIIi 
PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 

In seeking to improve our horses, we must not under- 
estimate the importance of generous feeding. Breeding 
and selection make success possible, but will fail unless 
we provide a sufficient supply of the most suitable foods 
to the horse at all ages and stages of development. 
Horse feeding is essentially different from the feeding 
of other farm animals. Because of the small size of the 
digestive organs a relatively small quantity of roughage 
and a correspondingly large amount of grain is de- 
manded. Further, the kind of work to which horses are 
put calls for the least possible load in the digestive 
organs. 

Regularity of feeding. — The horse should be fed regu- 
larly and uniformly at all times. He anticipates the hour 
of feeding and becomes nervous if it is long delayed. He 
neighs and coaxes for his food with great regularity, and 
his system becomes accustomed to a certain order that 
must be followed. Sudden changes, even for a single 
meal, may produce more or less digestive disturbance. 
The working horse should be fed often, as undue fasting is 
followed by taking an excessive supply of food or by eat- 
ing too rapidly, either of which are likely to result in 
digestive disorders. 

Order of supplying grain, hay and water. — As the 
stomach of the horse is not large enough to hold the 
entire meal, the order of supplying grain, hay and water is 
of much importance. It is stated that the stomach of the 
horse must fill and empty itself two or three times for 
each meal. During the fore part of the meal the material 
is pushed into the small intestines almost as soon as it 
enters the stomach by the food which follows, while to- 

334 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 335 

ward the end of the meal passage is slow and the diges- 
tion in the stomach is more perfect. This would lead to 
the conclusion that the bulky foods should be fed first 
and the more nutritious foods toward the end of the meal. 
This practice leads to the serious objection that the horse 
is anxious, nervous and unsatisfied until fed his grain, for 
which reason he is usually fed grain before hay. 

Watering the horse. — A discussion of the order of sup- 
plying food should include the time of watering the horse. 
Many persons think that the horse should be watered 
before feeding, while others are equally as certain that 
feeding should precede watering. This difference of 
opinion may be due to the fact that either method will 
sometimes result in digestive disorders. If the horse is 
watered before feeding he may drink to excess, which 
may cause digestive disorders and will surely affect the 
appetite, and he will not consume as much food as he 
otherwise would. On the other hand, if the horse is very 
thirsty and water is withheld until after feeding, he may 
not eat heartily and may drink so much water as to 
lessen his usefulness while at work. 

The object to be attained is to water the horse so fre- 
quently that he will not become thirsty and, therefore, not 
drink to excess. To do this the work horse should be 
watered four times each day; perhaps better results 
would be obtained from watering six times. Little or no 
difficulty will be experienced if the horse is watered after 
breakfast, both before and after dinner, and before sup- 
per. Perhaps better results would be obtained if the 
horse was watered before breakfast and again after sup- 
per, thus making six times daily, as is the custom in many 
large stables. 

Changing foods. — Sudden changes in the food are to 
be avoided, as the digestive system ma}^ not be able to 
accommodate itself at once to such, and digestive dis- 
orders follow. Such changes sometimes result in scour- 
ing, as when the horse is too suddenly transferred from 



336 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

a dry to a watery diet. Sometimes a sudden change in- 
duces constipation, as a change from pasture to a dry 
ration. Such changes often overtax the digestive sys- 
tem to such an extent that it is permanently w^eakened, 
as when horses unaccustomed to grain are too quickly 
put on full feed. If the changes are made gradually, the 
system can digest without risk quantities of newly- 
ingested food that would have produced serious digestive 
disorders or derangements had they been given at first. 

Preparation of food. — The food of farm horses and 
other horses at moderate work need receive little atten- 
tion. Such animals have ample time to masticate and 
digest their food. On the other hand, work horses that 
are taxed to the limit of their endurance should have all 
grains ground and some of their hay cut or chopped. 
Foods thus prepared are more thoroughly and rapidly 
masticated and perhaps more thoroughly digested, es- 
pecially the ground grain. Long hay should be supplied 
the animal, to be consumed at leisure. As hay is always 
more or less dusty, it should be fed in such a manner as 
to cause the horse the least annoyance. Moistening or 
sprinkling the hay with water is the simplest way of 
reducing this trouble. Of course, dusty hay should be 
avoided whenever possible. 

Salting the horse. — Salt in limited quantities should be 
kept before the horse at all times. It is not best to place 
too much before him at a time, as some horses will eat it 
to excess, thus creating an abnormal thirst, and if given 
sufficient water may result in digestive disorders. Do 
not put the salt in the feed, as this practice often results 
in derangement of the digestive organs. 

Food required to grow a horse. — The cost of raising a 
colt has been a much-discussed question, and the es- 
timates vary widely. This variation in estimated cost 
is due largely to the conditions. In some cases, the cost . 
has been estimated by considering the food at the market 
value, in other cases at the value on the farm, and in still 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 



337 



other cases at the actual cost on the farm, thus giving 
three cost prices. The better way to state the cost of 
raising a horse is to give the food required to grow him 
and then each person can estimate the cost according to 
the value he wishes to place on the food. 

The sucking colt, fed grain as suggested (p. 291), will 
consume about 180 pounds up to weaning time. As a 
weanling he will consume five pounds of grain and seven 
pounds of hay per day ; as a yearling seven pounds of grain 
and 18 pounds of hay ; and as a two-year-old he will con- 
sume nine pounds of grain and 20 pounds of hay daily. 
These figures represent averages obtained from four 
years' work in growing colts. The heavy draft colts con- 
sumed somewhat large quantities, while the light ones 
ate considerably less. The grain consisted of 50 parts 
corn meal, 25 parts wheat bran and 25 parts ground oats, 
while the hay consisted of sweet, clean clover or alfalfa. 
The total food consumed up to three years of age is as 
follows : 

Food Consumed by Growing Colts 



Age of colt 


Period 


Grain, 
pounds 


Hay, pounds 


Pasture 


Sucker 

"Weanling 

Yearling 

Yearling 

Two-year-old 

Two-year-old 


June to October 
November to May 
June to October 
November to May 
June to October 
November to May 


180 
1,050 

1,470 

l'890 


1,470 
3', 7 80 
4,206 


5 months 
5 months 
5 months 


Total 


4,590 


9,450 


15 months 



According to this computation, a three-year-old colt 
costs approximately 2j4 tons of grain, 4^ tons of hay, 
and 15 months' pasture, on the average. 

Factors in reducing cost of horse labor. — There are a 
number of factors operating to affect the cost of horse 
labor, chief of which are increasing the efficiency of the 



338 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



horse and raising colts. Farm horses work a very small 
fraction of the time. On a number of Minnesota and 
New York farms, horses were found to work an average 
of about three hours a day. On such farms the cost of 
horse labor could be reduced by using horses more ef- 
fectively. Another way to reduce the cost is to raise 
colts. From the nature of farm work, it would seem that 
the average farmer should raise more colts than are 
necessary to keep up the horses, so that there will be an 
income from the sale of surplus horse stock. 




FIG. 154.— PERCHERON BROOD MARES AT WORK. WEIGHT, 3,200 POUNDS 



Feeding the work horse. — The work horse should have 
rich food, as the richer the food the more easily it is 
digested, and the greater the proportion available for 
work. He should be fed liberally and frequently. The 
hard-working horse has a good appetite, a vigorous diges- 
tion and responds to intelligent care. Regularity in feed- 
ing", watering and working brings comfort and long years 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 339 

of usefulness, while irregularity in these details is likely 
to result in digestive disorders and other derangements. 

Amount to feed. — The feeding standards serve as a 
guide as to the amount of food that the work horse should 
receive. In general, this will be regulated by the size of 
the horse as well as by the amount and kind of work he is 
required to perform. In practice the work horse is sup- 
plied with approximately 25^ pounds of provender daily 
for each hundred pounds of weight. Of this amount 
from one-third to two-thirds, the exact amount depend- 
ing on the severity of the labor, should be grain and the 
remainder sweet, clean hay. When the work is very 
heavy, the grain in the ration should be increased and the 
hay diminished, as grain contains more energy and is 
more easily digested. On the other hand, when the work 
is light, the grain should be diminished and the hay in- 
creased. The morning and midday meals should be 
light. They should not possess much bulk, as very bulky 
food lessens the animal's usefulness. The heavy feeding 
should come at night, when the horse has ample time to 
masticate and digest his food and is not obliged to go to 
work immediately after eating. 

Method of feeding and watering. — The hard-working 
horse should be fed and watered so frequently that he will 
neither become hungry nor thirsty. Thus, he should be 
fed at least three times, watered not less than four times 
and if convenient six times daily. If accessible, there- 
fore, the horse should be watered in the morning before 
feeding. For the morning meal feed one-fourth of the 
daily allowance at least one hour before going to work. 
This should be in condition to be easily and rapidly con- 
sumed, so as to be well digested when the animal goes to 
work. He should be watered as he goes to work, and 
after five hours of exhaustive labor he should be given his 
miidday meal. Before being fed, however, he should 
have a drink of fresh, cool water, taking care that he does 
not drink too rapidly or gorge himself if very warrn. 



340 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Feed another quarter of the daily allowance, and if con- 
venient remove the harness so he can eat in quiet and 
comfort, and thus gain a few minutes of much-needed 
rest. Allow one hour to consume the midday meal. 
After being watered, he is ready for the second half of 
his day's labor. When worked five hours he should be 
given the evening meal. As he comes to the stable in 
the evening, he should, first of all, be given a drink, 
exercising care as before to see that he does not drink 
too rapidly. The horse is now ready for the remainder 
of his day's allowance. Unharness at once and when 
the sweat has dried give him a thorough brushing. 
Blanket him for the night. If convenient, he should be 
given a drink in two hours after feeding, when he may 
be bedded down and left for the night. 

If, for some reason, the horse is forced to stand idle 
in the stable for a few days, the grain ration should be 
reduced. Otherwise, he will become stocky and his legs 
become swollen and stiff. Many horsemen give a bran 
mash Saturday evening and reduce the grain on Sunday. 

Individuality in feeding. — While we can estimate 
closely the amount of food to be given a large number 
of horses, yet the individual ration should be modified to 
meet the needs of each animal. Possibly one horse 
should have a little more than the regular allowance, and 
the next a little less, because some horses are more dif- 
ficult to keep in condition than others doing the same 
work and under similar conditions. The object sought 
is to keep each in the desired condition. 

Cost of the ration. — In formulating a ration for the 
work horse, due consideration should be given the cost, 
which will vary with the size of the animal, the nature of 
the work performed and the cost of the food. Hays are 
ordinarily much cheaper than grains, especially on farms, 
but a hard-working horse is unable economically to dis- 
pose of a large proportion of bulky food. It requires 
time and energy to masticate and digest rough food, which 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 341 

lessens the usefulness of the horse. Within proper limits 
the more concentrated the food, the less time and energy 
will be required to make it available. While the relative 
proportion between the grain and roughage in the ration 
will depend upon the amount and kind of work per- 
formed, yet a hard-working horse should never be ex- 
pected to consume more roughage than grain by weight. 

In the choice of grains the cost is given little or no con- 
sideration by the average person. Thus, we often con- 
tinue to feed oats when it is the most expensive grain 
upon the market, whereas equally as good results would 
be obtained by feeding some other grain, in part at least, 
and the cost would be lessened thereby (p. 348). 

Feeding the driving horse. — The periods of compara- 
tive idleness, followed by long drives and hours of over- 
exertion, make the feeding of the driving and carriage 
horse a difficult task. The irregular work, necessitating 
irregular feeding, often weakens the constitution of the 
driving horse, which generally has but a brief career. 
As far as possible, the same general plan as that sug- 
gested for the work horse should be followed. When 
the horse is not driven the grain part of the ration should 
be reduced and the normal allowance should not again 
be given until the work is resumed. Driving horses are 
often overfed because of the desire of the owner to keep 
them in the pink of condition. This overfeeding and ir- 
regular exercise is the cause of most of the ills of the 
driving horse. 

Oats and bran easily lead among the concentrates and 
timothy hay among the forages. A bran mash should 
be given once a week if bran is not more regularly fed. 
Care must be exercised in feeding laxative foods, such 
as green grass, clover or alfalfa hay, and too much bran, 
as such foods prove very draining on the system of the 
horse as well as disagreeable to the driver. 

Wintering the idle horse. — Since practically all of the 
farm work comes during the growing season, many 



342 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

horses are idle during the remainder of the year. As 
they do not do sufficient work to pay for their keep, they 
should be fed as economically as possible. It is more 
economical, and, perhaps, advisable, that idle horses be 
turned to a lot to be roughed through the winter rather 
than confined too closely in the barn, particularly if they 
have access to a dry, well-protected shed. Under such 
conditions they grow long, heavy coats, which afford 
them excellent protection. Idle horses have ample time 




FIG. 155.— PERCHERON STALLION AND MARE WORKING SIDE BY SIDE 

to masticate and digest their food and can subsist largely 
on forage, such as hay, corn fodder, straw, and the like. 
Some grain should be fed once a day. If the shed is kept 
well bedded and dry, idle horses can be comfortably win- 
tered in this way at much less expense than by stabling. 
Grain feeding, together with some work, should begin 
three weeks before spring work starts to put the animals 
into condition. 

j Feeding the stallion. — The object to be attained in the 
management of a stallion is to so feed, groom and exer- 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 343 

cise him as to keep the horse up to the very highest pitch 
of strength and vigor. Many persons, among them some 
who should know better, endeavor to have the stallion 
in fine show condition at the time the breeding season 
opens. The horse is heavily fed, closely blanketed, and 
denied sufficient exercise, he becomes loaded with fat, his 
muscles become soft and flabby, and although he may 
seem in the pink of condition, he is not nearly so well 
fitted for service in the stud as he would have been had 
he received plain food and an abundance of exercise each 
day. To insure exercise the stallion should be worked 
moderately when convenient. 

During the breeding season the grain ration should con- 
sist mainly of good sound oats, as nothing is better; but 
this should be varied from time to time by adding corn, 
barley, wheat, and the like. Wheat bran is a valuable 
adjunct to the ration, and should never be dispensed with. 
It is not only rich in protein, an especially important 
element of nutrition for the stallion, but is the cheapest, 
safest and best of all regulators of the bowels. The 
roughage should consist of sweet, clean hay, timothy or 
timothy and clover mixed. A few carrots occasionally 
is a very valuable addition to the ration of breeding 
animals. 

Feeding mules. — Mules should be fed similar to horses. 
There is a prevailing' notion that mules eat less than 
horses under similar conditions. Such is not the case, al- 
though they are less likely to overfeed and gorge them- 
selves than horses, and will make use of coarse foods that 
horses will not eat unless forced to do so by neglect. 
Mules are sometimes preferred by large business firms, 
not that they consume less food for a given amount of 
work than do horses, but that their management, both 
feeding and working, can be trusted to less skilled hands 
and with better results than can be obtained with horses. 
In all important essentials, mules are very similar to 



344 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

horses and should be fed, watered and worked accord- 
ingly. 

Fattening horses and mules for market. — In certain 
parts of the country feeding horses and mules for the 
market has become as much a regular business as feed- 
ing cattle and swine. While excessive fatness may 
lessen the future usefulness of both horses and mules, 
3^et the market demands such and it is the business of 
the producer to supply the demand. Providing the 
animals are sound, it is not possible to get them so fat 
that buyers will object for that reason. 

The methods practiced in various parts of the country 
differ widely, as do the foods used. The animals are 
purchased, their teeth are floated, and they are put in the 
barn and fed graduall}^, as care must be taken for a few 
days to avoid colic. On account of the small size of the 
stomach it seems most profitable to feed grain five times 
a day, while hay is placed in the racks so they may have 
access to it at all time*s. One large firm gives three feeds 
daily of mixed feed, bran, shorts and oats ; and two feeds 
of corn w^th clover hay available at all times. The 
animals are kept closely blanketed and stabled, with no 
exercise whatever. To keep the blood in good order, 
thus preventing in part stocklegs, glauber salts are some- 
times used. These salts are used once a week. The 
assertion is made that the salt aids in putting on flesh, 
and that it gives the skin a soft, mellow touch. In some 
instances, horses fed in this manner have made gains of 
as much as five pounds per day for a period of 50 to 75 
days. The average feeding period, however, is from 75 
to 100 days and an average gain of three pounds per day 
is considered satisfactory. 

Sample rations for the horse. — The following rations 
are collected from various sources and furnish a guide 
in determining the kind and amount of food that should 
be fed under various conditions : 



PRACTICAL HORSE FEEDING 



345 



Horse and. work 


Weight of 
horse 


Ration 




Grain 


Roughage 


Farm team, east 


1,400 


9 lb. oats 
9 lb. com 


18 lb. mixed hay 


Farm team, east 


1,220 


8 lb. oats 
6 lb. cum 

2 lb. bran 


10 lb. hay 


Farm team, east 


1,230 


8 lb. com 
7 lb. bran 


10 lb. hay 


Farm team, west 


1,230 


12 lb. oats 


15 lb. alfalfa hay 


Farm team, west 


1,870 


5 lb. bran 
5 lb. shorts 


25 lb. alfalfa hay 




1,385 




20 lb. alfalfa hay 


Light draft, east 


1,350 


4 lb. oats 


15 lb. hay 


Light draft, west 


1,350 


10 lb. oats 
2.5 lb. bran 


7 lb. hay 


Medium draft, east 


1.350 


12 lb. oats 


12 lb. hay 


Medium draft, west 


1,350 


8 lb. oats 


16 lb. hay 


Heavy draft, east 


1,600 


9 lb. oats 
9 lb. corn 


24 lb. timothy hay 


Heavy draft, east 


1,600 


23 lb. oats 


12 lb. hay 


Moderate driving 


1,000 


8 lb. oats 


10 lb. timothy hay 


Moderate driving 


1,000 


4 lb. oats 
4 lb. com 


10 lb. timothy hay 


Heavy driving 


1,000 
1,000 


14 lb. oats 
7 lb. oats 
7 lb. corn 


10 lb. timothy hay 
10 lb. timothy hay 



Grain Mixture for Colts' 



40 parts ground oats 
40 parts wheat bran 
20 parts corn meal 



Winter Ration 



Age of colts 


Grain 


Hay 


WeanUngs 
Yearlings 
Two-year-old 


5 1b. 
7 1b. 
9 1b. 


7 lb. clover hay 
18 lb. clover hay 
20 lb. clover hay 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 

The ration of the horse usually lacks variety. If we 
study the ration for horses in a locality we find it com- 
posed of one or at most two kinds of grain and one kind 
of forage. The owner insists that this is the most prac- 
tical and economical ration he can feed with safety to 
his horses. We need not travel far, however, to find the 
list of foods more or less changed, sometimes entirely so, 
yet with the same claim of superiority or necessity as 
before. Thus in one section the most common feeds for 
the horses are oats for grain and timothy hay for rough- 
age ; in another section corn serves as grain and clover 
hay as roughage ; in another, crushed barley is the com- 
mon grain, while the hay comes largely from the wild- 
oat and barley plants ; and in still another section corn 
serves mainly as the grain, with corn fodder for the 
roughage. In fact, the range of foodstuffs that may be 
fed the horse with safety and success is rather large. 

THE CEREAL GRAINS 

Most of the grain fed to the horse comes from the 
cereal plants — oats, corn, barley, rye and wheat. The 
cereal grains are very similar in composition. They con- 
tain a fairly low water and protein content and a con- 
siderable amount of nitrogen-fee extract, fiber and fat. 
They are palatable and digestible. The question of a 
choice of cereal grain for feeding the horse will be largely 
determined by the relative cost. 

Oats. — There is no other grain so safe for horse feed- 
ing as oats, the animal rarely being harmed if by acci- 
dent or otherwise the feeder gives an oversupply. This 



GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 



347 



safety is due to the oat hull, which causes a given weight 
of grain to possess considerable volume. This lessens 
the liability of mistake in measuring the ration. Fur- 
ther, the digestive tract cannot hold a quantity of oat 
grains sufficient to produce serious disorders. 

It is said that horses fed on oats show a spirit which 
cannot be attained by the use of any other feeding stuff. 
It has been urged by many that this is due to a peculiar 
stimulating substance called *'avenin," which the oats 
is said to possess. Oats may have a flavor that makes 




FIG. 156.— FATTENING HORSES FOR THE MARKET 



it a favorite food for horses, but the most careful chem- 
ical study has failed to reveal any substance of the nature 
of "avenin." Again, it is stated that the fats of oats are 
more thoroughly digested than those of other cereals. 

The weight of oats determines the quality of the grain. 
If the oats is light it indicates that there is a large pro- 
portion of hull to grain and the oats is worth less than if 
it were heavy, which indicates a large proportion of 
grain and a small amount of hull. Unless the horse is 
pressed for time or has poor teeth, the oats should be fed 
whole. It is generally agreed that new oats should not 
be fed to horses. Musty oats should always be avoided. 

Corn. — Next to oats, if, indeed, it does not exceed it, 



348 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

corn is the common grain for the horse in America. It 
is used largely in the corn belt and to the southward in 
the cotton states. Much has been said against the use 
of corn. However, it is ordinarily the cheapest of all 
the cereal grains. A given weight furnishes more energy 
than any other food. It furnishes the largest amount of 
digestible nutrients, at the least cost, and is universally 
palatable. While conceding that corn is not equal to 
oats as a grain for the horse, nevertheless, because of its 
low cost and high feeding value, this grain will be ex- 
tensively used when large numbers of horses must be 
economically maintained. Corn contains large quan- 
tities of nitrogen-free extract, and when fed exclusively 
is too fattening. If fed in too large quantities it pro- 
duces digestive disorders. Corn also lacks a sufficient 
amount of mineral matter and protein for the proper 
development of young animals. 

Oats and corn — Ground corn and oats, mixed half and 
half, make a very good grain ration for the horse, and is 
much cheaper than oats alone. In a three years' test 
with gelding and brood mares worked on farms and at 
heavy draft, this mixture gave equally as good results 
as whole oats, and reduced the cost of the ration ap- 
proximately 10%. The bulk of the oats overcomes, in 
a large measure, the objectionable features of the corn, 
while the corn, with its large amount of easily digestible 
materials, supplies the ration with much energy. 

Barley, rye and wheat.^Each of these grains is some- 
times fed to the horse. The question of their use depends 
largely upon their market price. Usually they are worth 
more for other purposes. Wheat especially is worth more 
for milling. Wheat has, however, been fed to the horse 
with varying success, depending largely on the feeder and 
the method of feeding it. 

Barley is not fed to horses in the East to any great 
extent because of its demand for malting, but on the 
Pacific coast it is extensively used for feeding horses at 



GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 



349 



all kinds of work. When the horse's teeth are good and 
the labor not severe, barley may be fed whole. Ground 
barley when mixed with saliva forms a pasty mass in the 
mouth, and is therefore unpleasant to the horse while eat- 
ing. Crushing the grain makes it less objectionable. 

Rye is often fed to horses. It is the least palatable of 
all the grains and many horses will hardly eat it unless 
ground and mixed with other foods. In many localities, 
rye is likely to be infected with ergot, which has a bad 
effect upon the horse and may be the cause of abortion in 
brood mares. 

Leguminous grains. — Besides the cereal grains there are 
a few leguminous 
seeds that are 
used as horse 
feed. These le- 
guminous seeds 
differ from cereals 
in their composi- 
tion, in that they 
contain a relative- 
ly large percent- 
age of protein, 
and are perhaps 
not so digestible 
as some of the 
cereal grains. 

Horse beans, 
field peas and 
cowpeas. — These 
are perhaps the 
most used leg- 
umes as a food 
for the horse. 
Horse beans and 
field peas are ex- 
tensively fed in 
Europe and Can- 




FiG. 157. — Bulk in Grain Ration 

1. Shelled corn. 2. Corn meal. 3. Whole oats. 4. 
Ground oats. 5. One-half shelled corn and one-halt 
whole oats. 6. One-half corn meal and one-half ground 
oats. 7, One-third wheat bran, one-third corn meal and 
one-third ground oats. 

Each lot contains the same amount of digestible 
nutrients. Note the larger bulk in lots 5, 6 and 7. 



350 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



ada, while cowpeas are used in the southern states. The 
horse usually takes to these grains after a time, and they 
have a good effect upon the animal unless fed in too 
large quantities, when they prove harmful. • Five pounds 
per head per day may be considered the maximum that 
can be fed with safety. 

BY-PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL FEEDS 

Aside from the whole grain there are on the market 
numerous feeds containing only parts of the various 

grains and are 
called by-prod- 
ucts, commercial 
feeds, and the like. 
These constitute 
the part of the 
grain left after 
the manufacture 
of some product. 
Thus, when starch 
is manufactured 
from corn, the 
nitrogenous part 
of the grain is re- 
jected and consti- 
tutes gluten feed 
or meal. Cottonseed cake or cottonseed meal is the ma- 
terial left after the oil has been expressed from the cotton 
seed. In the same way, linseed meal is the residue ob- 
tained in the manufacture of linseed oil. Dried brewer's 
grain is the dried barley grain after it has been brewed. 
Bran, middlings and shorts are left after the manufacture 
of flour. 

Wheat bran. — Because of its physical effect, bran is 
considered a very valuable addition to the ration of the 
horse. It has a loosening effect on the bowels and a 
tendency to allay feverish condition. It is entirely too 




Fig. 158. — Belgian Stallion "Ludia' 



GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 35 1 

bulky to constitute any considerable part of the ration of 
a hard-working animal. It is a very good food for young 
and growing animals, as it is rich in mineral matter and 
protein, elements that the young animal must have to 
build up his body. It serves the needs of the grown horse 
best when given as a "condition" food. 

Linseed meal. — This food is very rich in protein, and is 
often fed to the horse in limited quantities, more for the 
specific effect it has on the horse than for the actual 
nutrients it contains. It stimulates the skin secretions 
and gives the horse a very smooth and glossy hair. It 
can be used as a laxative. Linseed meal is A^ery palatable 
and easily digestible. It is fattening in its nature and 
hence desirable if one wishes to fatten his horse. Lin- 
seed is valuable as a food for the growing colt because 
of its high amount of mineral matter and protein. It 
cannot be fed, however, in very large quantities because 
of its laxative effect, and some horses cannot eat it at all, 
as it scours them at once. 

Cottonseed meal. — This meal has about the same com- 
position and the same effect on the mature horse as has 
linseed meal. Cottonseed meal should not, however, be 
fed to young and growing animals. 

Gluten meal or feed. — Gluten is sometimes fed to the 
horse. It is rich in protein, but rather deficient in 
mineral matter. It has the objection that when mois- 
tened with saliva it has a tendency to form balls in -the 
mouth and is not so palatable. However, it is quite 
digestible. Like linseed and cottonseed meal, it should 
not be fed in very large quantities. Because of its low 
mineral matter content it should not be given to the 
young and growing colt. 

Dried brewer's grains. — These grains have been used 
in the ration of the work horse with success. An experi- 
ment is quoted when they were compared with oats and 
the following conclusions drawn : In both rations the 
nutrients furnished were sufficient to maintain the weight 



352 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

of the animal under average work; taking all in all, a 
pound of the dried brewer's grains was quite as useful 
as a pound of oats in the ration for work horses. 

Molasses. — Numerous trials have been made of feed- 
ing molasses to horses, particularly in the South. It is 
rich in nitrogen-free extract and hence is quite diges- 
tible. In the South, where it is fed extensively, it is 
fed from a large trough, and the animals are allowed 
to eat at will. In the North it is customary to dilute it 
with water and sprinkle on the hay. Molasses has a 
good physical effect upon the animal. It encourages 
skin secretions and keeps the hair fine and glossy. There 
are some disadvantages connected with the use of mo- 
lasses, however, as it attracts insects, especially flies and 
ants, sticks to the animal's coat, halter, tie strap and 
manger, and is difficult to mix with other foods. 

Patent stock foods. — If the horse is out of condi- 
tion, or if the food is not so good as it should be, the 
use of condimental or patent stock foods may be of 
advantage in bringing the animal up to the normal con- 
dition. The price at which these patent foods are sold 
makes them extremely expensive to the consumer, and 
the profits that accrue from their sale are great. Yet 
if one has a horse that is out of condition it may be 
profitable to buy a package of this food. There is noth- 
ing difficult in the making of these foods, and any one 
can mix a "conditioner" himself if he has the time and 
disposition to do so. 



CHAPTER XXXV 

HAY AND FORAGE FOR THE HORSE 

The kinds of forage that are available for horse feed- 
ing are even more numerous than the grains, and they 
vary as v^idely in their composition and nutritive value. 
Dry forage, on the average, contains from one-third to 
one-half the energy value of grain. It differs from grain 
in that it contains more water and more fiber. Because 
of the high percentage of water, succulent forage con- 
tains from one-third to one-half the energy value of dry 
forage. Many of the succulent foods, especially roots 
and tubers, are almost entirely digestible. 

HAY AND DRY FORAGE 

It is better to have the digestive tract of the horse 
moderately distended with coarse material rather than 
contracted, as would be the case if grains possessing only 
the requisite nutrients were supplied. In fact, horses 
fail to thrive when fed concentrates alone; even oats with 
their strawlike hulls do not provide sufficient bulk. Fur- 
ther, on farms roughage is ordinarily much cheaper than 
concentrates and, therefore, should be used as much as 
possible, although some grain should always be fed in 
addition, especially to working animals. 

Timothy hay. — Although not particularly rich in 
digestible nutrients, timothy is the standard hay for 
horse feeding. There are many reasons for its popu- 
larity. It can be grown successfully in nearly all local- 
ities and is the principal market hay; it is difficult to 
adulterate with other grasses or weeds without detec- 
tion ; it is relished by horses ; it is free from dust — all of 
which conditions commend good timothy hay as a horse 
food. 



354 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Clover hay. — This hay has not been held in high es- 
teem as a forage for horses. The reasons are obvious. 
It is generally loaded with dust, and this is often hard 
to prevent. The clover stem is not stiff enough to hold 
the plant upright and it falls to the ground, and more or 
less dirt is splashed upon it by rain. Then the leaves 
and stems are very brittle and crumble into dust in the 
curing of the hay. Further, the hay often goes into 
the mov\^ so moist that fermentation takes place. Dur- 
ing this oxidation or slow-burning process, particles of 
blackened, partially carbonized leaves are produced, 




' > "l^T^ '^V^ '? , 




^:*I.SJ^iA:'::^$m-\:tJ^ .-^k- irM^Zjmj^y.ir':^: f^^-^^. >. -nxis^t ^ 



FIG. 159.— MODERN METHOD OF MAKING HAY 

which finely divided matter rises in the air in clouds of 
dust when the hay is moved. Some of it enters the nos- 
trils of the horse and is drawn into the lungs, there setting 
up serious irritation. This can be prevented in large 
measure by moistening the hay before feeding. When 
bright and clean, clover is a very valuable food for the 
horse, especially for the young and growing colt, as it is 
rich in protein and mineral matter; in fact, it makes a 
better ration than timothy when fed in limited quanti- 
ties. 

Alfalfa hay. — This hay belongs to the same natural 



HAY AND FORAGE FOR THE HORSE 



355 



family as clover hay, and meets with similar objections. 
It is likely to be dusty, especially when grown in regions 
of considerable rainfall. It seems certain that alfalfa 
fed in limited quantities will prove as efficient as timothy 
to the slow-going draft horse. Horses are very fond 
of alfalfa, and it is necessary to guard against feeding an 
oversupply. Like clover, there is no better forage for 
the young and growing colt. 




FIG. 160.— ARABIAN STALLION "NIMR 



Cereal hay. — Cereal plants, such as oats, barley and 
wheat, are often harvested before the grain matures and 
the forage used as hay. Such hay is extensively UvSed 
on the Pacific Coast, especially in California, where it is 
held in high esteem as a forage for race horses. Cereal 
hay may often be advantageously employed for horse 
feeding in the eastern United States. When timothy 
commands a very high price, many successful farmers 
sell their timothy and raise oat hay for their work horses, 



356 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Millet hay. — Hay from Japanese millet, Hungarian 
grass, and like forages, may often be advantageously fed 
to horses, provided the allowance is limited (p. 358). 
When such hay is properly cured, and fed in moderation, 
or in connection w^ith some other hay, it makes a very 
good forage for the horse and produces no unfavorable 
effects. Perhaps some grain should alv^ays be fed v^hen 
millet forms a part of the ration. 

Corn forage. — Thickly grow^n corn, w^hen properly 
cured, makes one of the best dry forages for the horse. 
Corn thus seeded bears small palatable ears v^hich are 
easily masticated. The leaves are free from dust, as w^ell 
as palatable and full of nutrients. When the yield of 
such forage and its feeding value are compared w^ith that 
of timothy hay from the same area, the usefulness and 
economy of the corn plant becomes apparent. 

Corn stalks. — Dry corn stalks that have been cured in 
the shock are sometimes fed as a substitute for hay. Ex- 
periments and experience have show^n that in the fall 
before the leaves are leached it is as valuable as timothy 
hay, pound for pound consumed. The stalks cost only 
one-third as much as the timothy and therefore they prove 
much more economical. The question is often raised 
w^hether cutting or shredding improves their digestibility. 
It v^ill not improve the digestibility, but cutting or 
shredding has other advantages : The cut or shredded 
stalks can be much more conveniently stored ; they are 
more easily handled ; they w^ill retain their nutrients 
longer than if left to leach in the shock. If the stalks are 
to be fed in this manner, emphasis must be put upon the 
necessity of cutting the corn as the ear hardens and be- 
fore the blades and stalks become dead or are bitten by 
frost. 

Straw. — The stravs^ of the various cereal grains is some- 
times fed to the horse as a part of his roughage. While 
the straw^ has some value, the horse requires much more 
grain when hay is replaced by straw. Idle work horses 



HAY AND FORAGE FOR THE HORSE 357 

in winter can utilize some straw, but they should not be 
compelled to subsist wholly on it, as it contains much 
fibrous material and is largely indigestible. It should 
never be fed to hard-working animals. In relative value 
for horse feeding the straws rank in the following order : 
Oats, barley, wheat and rye, the latter being of little use 
as a horse food. 

SUCCULENT FOODS 

In addition to the dry hays, the horse can make good 
use of many of the succulent foods and will be much 
benefited thereby. These succulent foods are all char- 
acterized by their very high water content and by their 
low energy values, the latter about one-half that of dry 
hay. 

Green forage. — Sometimes it happens that the feeder 
runs short of hay before the new crop comes on, and he 
either cuts the grass and feeds it green, which we call 
soiling, or turns the horses out to pasture. When the 
grass is cut and fed green, it is well to bear in mind that 
it contains very muck water and very much more of it by 
weight must be fed. The leguminous forages, such as 
alfalfa and clover, are richer in protein, and may cause 
a larger excretion of urine. Either of these methods is 
practicable when the animals are at moderate work, but 
neither should be employed when the work is severe, 
as it takes the animal too long to get sufficient nutrition. 

Silage. — This succulent food has been fed to the horse 
from time to time with varying success. If the silage is 
good and is fed in moderate quantities, it may be given 
to idle horses, to idle brood mares and to growing colts 
w^ith safety. It should not be fed to the hard-working 
animal, as he must consume too much to get sufficient 
nutrients to avail him much energy, because of the high 
percentage of water. 

Roots and tubers. — Carrots, rutabagas, potatoes and 



358 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

other roots and tubers are occasionally fed to the horse. 
These foods contain a high percentage of water and small 
amounts of nutrients. The use of such materials for 
horses has been attempted at different times with vary- 
ing success, but they are not used to any great extent 
in this country, although very common in Europe. 
Carrots are often fed as ''conditioners." For this pur- 
pose their value is high, but for actual nutrition very low. 

Fruits. — Apples, dates and prunes have been fed in the 
regions where they thrive, when the price was sufficiently 
low. Such foods are of little or no use, with the possible 
exception of apples. 

Injurious feeding stuffs. — In feeding the horse precau- 
tions should always be taken to avoid materials harmful 
in themselves, or those which may become harmful. Dirt, 
sticks, small stones, and the like, should be removed from 
the grain before feeding. All feeding stuffs should be 
cleaned. 

Millet. — This hay, when fed in large quantities, is con- 
sidered injurious to the horse. It is reported that it pro- 
duces increased action of the kidneys, causes lameness 
and swelling of the joints, destroys texture of the bone, 
and the ligaments and muscles are torn from their places 
when the animal attempts to move. 

Ergot. — Plants which are ordinarily wholesome may 
become harmful if infested with ergot. Some investiga- 
tors say that it causes rheumatism in the horse and that 
it may cause pregnant mares to abort. 

Feeds that are ordinarily wholesome may, under cer- 
tain conditions, be harmful. There is a widespread 
prejudice against moldy or decomposed feeding stuffs. 
It has been shown that the continued feeding of moldy 
corn induces intestinal and nervous disorders of a serious 
nature. 

Foods that influence digestion. — Some foods, in addi- 
tion to the nutrients they furnish, exercise an influence 
on the digestion so favorable as to place their value 



HAY AND FORAGE FOR TFIE HORSE 359 

far above what is represented by the nutrients which 
they contain. The influence thus exerted tends to correct 
the harmful results that grow out of constipation or 
undue laxity of the bowels. Because of this, when used 
vnainly to give proper tone to the digestion, the real value 
of such foods is usually far above their market value. 
When fed for such use, small and moderate, rather than 
large quantities should be supplied. This list of foods 
includes all kinds of field roots, as carrots, turnips, ruta- 
bagas, parsnips, and the like; such by-products as bran, 
oil meal of various kinds, and condiments ; such hays as 
alfalfa and clover, and green grass. 



CHAPTER XXXVI 
CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 

The efficiency of the work horse depends largely upon 
his general care and management. This fact is often 
overlooked and in an attempt to make up for the de- 
ficiency the horse is given too much food, w^hich usually 
shortens his career. The successful horseman must be 
a man of industrious habits. His work is, in a sense, 
never done owing to the ever-present necessity of furnish- 
ing the horse substance and protection. In some lines of 
work the neglect of one day may largely be made up the 
next, but in caring for the horse this is not possible. 
Injury resulting from neglect is always attended with 
loss and cannot be atoned for even by extra care sub- 
sequently. The caretaker must be devoted to his work. 
If he does not take to it kindl}^ he does it in a perfunctory 
manner. Food is given b}^ rule, regardless of the in- 
dividual needs of the animal. Such a person is likely to 
be impatient, and perhaps positively cruel. On the other 
hand, the person who loves his work has a more careful 
regard for the individual needs of the animals intrusted 
to his care. If anyone is to wait for a meal beyond the 
usual time it will be himself rather than his horse. 

Gentleness in handling the horse. — The horse is a very 
sensitive animal. We should handle him quietly and 
gently at all times. Striking or shouting commands at 
a horse is an inconsiderate practice. It not only causes 
the animal to lose confidence in his master, which ren- 
ders him less teachable, but it destroys nervous energy, 
thereby making the horse a less economical producer 
than if he was protected at all times from such nervous 
shocks. Possibly it is a reflection upon our humanity, 
but the statement is made that here in America more 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 



361 



horses are made short-lived by ill-treatment and exces- 
sive work than by poor feeding. 

Grooming the horse. — The work horse should be thor- 
oughly groomed each evening after the day's work is 
done as well as in the morning before the work begins. 
In some respects this is almost as essential as feeding and 
watering. The cleaning and rubbing of the skin stim- 
ulates the secretions and improves the tone of the entire 
system. More important than this, however, is the good 
effect upon the feet and legs. Cleaning and rubbing the 
feet and legs are very important factors in preserving 
soundness. 












1. Common currycomb, 
tail comb. 



-^ 



FIG. 161.— GROOMING TOOLS 

2. Body brush. 3. Reform currycomb. 



4. Mane and 



In grooming the horse, the principal tools needed are 
a currycomb, body brush, flannel cloth, mane and tail 
comb, a hoof hook and a half-worn broom for use on the 
legs. The currycomb is used to loosen the hair which 
has become matted with sweat and dirt, and to remove 
splashes of mud, thus preparing the way for the body 



362 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF PIORSES 

brush, which it also serves to keep clean. In currying 
and brushing the horse with a sensitive skin, great care 
should be exercised, as carelessness often provokes kick- 
ing, striking, biting, and the like. After currying and 
brushing, rub the hair free from dandruff with the cloth. 
Straighten out the snarls and tangles in the mane and 
the tail with the comb. The hoof hook, which is some- 
what similar to a hay hook, is used to clean foreign ma- 
terials from the sole of the foot. The half-worn broom 
is a very convenient tool for removing loose mud from 
the horse's legs when he first arrives at the stable. 

When the horses are worked in the mud, their legs 
should be clipped as far up as the knees and hocks, for 
by so doing the limbs may be kept clean with much less 
difficulty. Much difficulty is often experienced in keep- 
ing the legs of horses that possess "feather" free from 
disease, especially when the footing is muddy and the 
weather cold. In case the legs are clipped, it is all the 
more important that they should be thoroughly cleaned 
and rubbed each evening after work. 

Clipping the horse. — There is much discussion as to the 
wisdom of clipping horses. Those persons that favor 
clipping state that it improves the general appearance, 
renders the coat more easily kept clean, and that a 
clipped horse is less liable to take cold than a long- 
coated one, because the evaporation is more rapid and 
the animal does not get so warm. On the other hand, 
those that oppose clipping state that it is not possible 
to make a clipped coat show the luster of an undipped 
one ; by the proper use of blankets it is possible to keep 
the coat rather short; and that by judicious grooming 
it is easily possible to keep the coat from becoming too 
thick, thus avoiding the necessity of clippings When 
this is the practice warm boiled food given one or two 
evenings each week materially adds to the luster. Horses 
thus managed Avill shed very early in the spring. 

Under average conditions the horse that has a long. 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 363 

thick coat will be greatly benefited by being clipped. 
The same is true of the horse that does not shed readily 
in the spring. The long coat causes the horse to sweat 
profusely, which drains heavily upon his system. Thus 
such an animal is difficult to keep in condition until clipped. 

When the horse is to be clipped twice each year the 
first clipping should be soon after the hair has grown 
out in the fall. This gives time to become used to the 
change before cold weather, and there is some growth 
of hair before winter. The second clipping should be 
in the early spring as soon as the weather begins to get 
warm and before shedding the winter coat. The horse 
thus treated will be much more easily kept in presentable 
condition, and if protected by blanket and well groomed, 
will pay many times for such extra care. 

When the horse cannot be properly blanketed either 
in the stable or out of it, he should not be clipped in the 
fall or winter. Animals exposed to the weather grow 
long coats for their own protection, and it is cruel to 
remove it when artificial protection cannot be supplied. 

Mane and foretop. — When properly cared for the mane 
and foretop add to the attractiveness of the horse. On 
the hard-working horse, however, these may become very 
annoying, the foretop getting into the eyes and obstruct- 
ing the vision, while the mane, in addition to being very 
warm, often becomes matted under the collar and pro- 
duces a sore neck or sore shoulder. Under such circum- 
stances it seems advisable to keep both mane and fore- 
top closely cropped. 

Blanketing the horse. — The efficiency of the horse can 
be increased, and his appearance improved by the proper 
use of the. blanket. Sudden changes in the temperature, 
as w^ell as cold rains and heavy winds, are very exhaus- 
tive on the work horse unless protective measures be 
taken. The blanket is also very useful in improving the 
general appearance of the coat of hair and in preserving 
its color. 



364 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Use of the stable blanket. — When stable blankets are 
used, two should be provided during the summer as well 
as during the winter. One, to be employed as a sweat 
blanket and used immediately after the horse returns 
from work and while he cools off, then to be removed 
and in a few minutes to be replaced by the night blanket, 
to remain on the animal overnight. In case the first 
blanket is left on the horse during the night, little oppor- 
tunity is given him to dry off, the blanket soon becomes 
damp and remains so all night. This proves very ex- 
haustive on the horse's system. In case the sweat blanket 
is replaced by a night blanket after the animal has ceased 
to steam and is somewhat cooled, which will be in a 
quarter of an hour, the hair will be dry and smooth the 
following morning. The evening grooming should be 
done after the sweat blanket is removed. Both blankets 
should be kept scrupulously clean at all times. 

Stable blankets may be dispensed with in the hot sum- 
mer months if the flies are excluded by screens or by 
some other means. If blankets are used at this time they 
should be of some light material and kept clean, other- 
wise they will do more harm than good. As soon as the 
nights begin to get cool, however, the use of the blankets 
should be continued, as an early use will arrest, to a 
marked degree, the growth of hair and may obviate the 
necessity of clipping. 

Use of the outdoor blanket. — During the cold weather, 
w^hen the horse is allowed to stand outdoors, he should 
be well protected with a blanket, otherwise he may chill. 
This precaution should always be taken even if we are 
going to stop but a short time, as the horse cools rapidly 
and may take cold. During very inclement weather it is 
a good plan to secure the blanket about the abdomen 
with safety pins. As warm weather approaches the 
heavy blanket should be substituted for a light one. 

Use of the fly blanket and fly net. — The proper use of 
fly nets brings much comfort to the horse. Whether to 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 



365 



use nets or blankets will depend on the circumstances. 
The blanket, being much warmer and not so presentable 
as the net, is not advised by many persons ; but there are 
conditions in which it proves very desirable, particularly 
on horses whose color is such as to fade on being exposed 
to the direct rays of the sun. Nets are more presentable 
and, therefore, more desired by horsemen generally. Both 
nets and blankets are rather annoying to the teamster, 
warm to the horses, and more or less expensive, for 
which reasons they are often discarded entirely. How- 




fig. 162.— FRENCH COACH GRADES, WELL HITCHED AND WELL GROOMED 



ever, when the botflies are present, the work horse should 
always be provided with a throat latch cloth, as these 
flies are very annoying, and the animal in fighting them 
often becomes excited, with a consequent lessening of his 
usefulness. 

Temperature of the stable. — The temperature in the 
horse stable may vary according to circumstances. The 
horse is thought to be a native of the north, and can en- 
dure almost any temperature so long as the stable is dry 
and free from drafts of air. Above all things, however, 
we must avoid changes, as taking a horse from a stable 
provided with artificial heat and compelling him to stand 



366 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

in a cold one. This may prove fatal. To take him from 
a cold stable and compel him to stand in an artificially 
heated one may be almost as bad. If the horse is prop- 
erly groomed and provided with a dry, clean bed the tem- 
perature of the stable may vary in accordance with that 
of the climate. 

Bedding the horse. — The horse should be provided with 
a dry, soft bed. The hard-working horse needs rest at 
night, and he can rest much more comfortably if given a 
good bed. The bedding should be kept fresh and clean. To 
this end it is very important that the stalls be cleaned 
each morning. The unsoiled bedding may be placed in 
front of the horse under the manger, but the soiled 
bedding and the manure should be removed. The 
manure should also be removed in the evening before the 
bedding is shook out and arranged for the night. Never 
allow the stall to become foul, as this not only lessens the 
comfort of the horse but promotes disease as well. 
Wheat straw makes the best bed. Old straw is pre- 
ferred, as it is drier and more elastic, thus making a soft 
bed and acting as a good absorbent. When straw cannot 
be obtained, or when it is high in price, shavings from 
the planing mill make a sweet, clean bed. Many persons 
prefer this material, as it leaves an agreeable odor in the 
barn. Other materials that are sometimes used are re- 
jected portions of corn stalks, tan bark, peat moss, leaves, 
and the like. 

Care of the horse's teeth. — The teeth of the horse are 
subject to many irregularities which prevent him from 
thoroughly masticating his food. The upper jaw is some- 
what wider than the lower, so that the teeth are not ex- 
actly opposite ; thus the wear is not equally distributed, 
and as a result sharp edges are often left unworn on the 
inside of the lower molars and on the outside of the 
upper, which may cut or lacerate the tongue or cheeks, 
which become sore. When the horse attempts to eat, 
the food materials irritate the sores and he will not feed 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 367 

well. These sharp edges should be rasped down with a 
guarded rasp. 

The teeth of the growing colt should be watched closely 
to see that they appear regularly and uniformly. This is 
very important when the milk teeth are being replaced 
by the permanent teeth (p. 51), as the former often per- 
sist, thereby causing the latter to grow in crooked or 




FIG. 163.— SADDLERS, WELL GROOMED AND WELL TRAINED 

irregular. To avoid this, the persistent milk teeth should 
be removed with forceps. 

In all cases when a horse quids his food, slobbers or 
otherwise evinces pain in mastication, as shown by hold- 
ing his head to one side while chewing, the teeth should 
be carefully examined. In addition to not feeding well, 
a horse with a sore mouth is likely to drive badly, to pull 
to one side, not to bear on the bit, or to bear on too hard, 
to toss the head, to start suddenly when a tender spot is 
touched, and the like. 



368 ATANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Care of the horse's feet. — Formerly much of the litera- 
ture on the horse pertained to the anatomy and care of 
the feet. The early writers recognized the very great 
importance of the feet. At present more attention is 
given to the general conformation and the general ap- 
pearance, and the feet are being neglected, with the re- 
sult that many of our breeds of horses have notably poor 
feet. Because of the importance of the feet, they should 
be carefully cared for throughout the active career of the 
horse. Each evening after returning from work, as well 
as in the morning before being sent out, the soles of the 
feet should be carefully examined and all foreign ma- 
terials removed. Frequently nails, stones and other 
foreign materials are found driven into the sole, or col- 
lected in the cleft along the frog. It is very essential 
that all such materials be removed if the hoof is to remain 
in a healthy condition. 

Some hoofs have a tendency to dry out, thus becoming 
hard and brittle. Such hoofs should be packed with clay 
mud and left on overnight. This will soften the wall of 
the hoof and make it less likely to crack or break. For 
this purpose some persons prefer oil or hoof ointment, 
but the mud leaves the hoof in a better physical condi- 
tion. Should the hoof become broken or worn in such 
a way as to throw the foot out of line, it should be leveled 
at once, otherwise the weight of the body will strain the 
joints and cause deformity and disease. Further, when 
the horse is closely confined to the stable the hoofs grow 
out long and if not trimmed may deform the limb and 
make traveling difficult. It is very important that such 
feet receive proper attention and be trimmed with a rasp. 

Growth of the hoof. — We are often interested to know 
the rate of growth of the hoof so that we may estimate 
how long it will take an injury, such as a cleft, calk or 
crack, to grow out. While the rate of growth is influ- 
enced to some extent by the work, exercise, grooming, 
moisture and food, yet the time required for the hoof to 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF TPIE HORSE 369 

grow from the coronet to the ground is in approximate 
proportion to the distance of the coronet to the ground. 
On the average, the hoof grows one-third of an inch a 
month, although hind hoofs grow faster than fore hoofs, 
and unshod ones faster than shod ones. The toe, there- 
fore, grows down in nine to twelve months, depending 
on its length, the quarters in six to eight months and the 
heel in three to four months. 

The hoof often grows out irregular, sometimes show- 
ing rings of growth. This is frequently noticed on horses 
that are confined to soft lots and foul stables, where it is 
due to the soft footing. This irregular growth can be 
avoided by leveling the hoof so the weight bears equally 
on all parts, and by placing the horse in a paddock with 
solid footing, thus providing the foot with the proper 
condition to function normally. 

SHOEING THE HORSE 

The horse should be shod as frequently as is necessary 
to meet the demands, which will vary according to the 
condition under which he is worked. In some parts of 
the country horses at moderate work are seldom shod; 
in other parts only the fore feet are shod ; but the con- 
ditions in most of our country are such that the horse can 
perform his work more efficiently if kept properly shod. 

Why the horse should be shod. — While there are 
a number of reasons for applying the shoes, the 
more important are to prevent excessive wear on 
the hoof, to prevent slipping on ice or mud, and to 
modify the action. The hoof of the work horse wears off 
faster than it grows out and soon becomes sore. To pre- 
vent this the shoe is attached. For this purpose the 
light shoe is preferred. It is difficult for the unshod 
horse to travel on the ice and through the mud; his 
efficiency is not only lessened, but he is liable to 
fall and injure himself and his driver as well. To pre- 



370 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



vent this the horse is shod with shoes possessing sharp 
calks. There are several makes of shoes with removable 
calks. A smooth-shod horse is liable to slip more on the 
ice than a barefooted one. Many horses possess notably 
poor action, some overreaching, forging and clicking; 
others interfering, striking, cutting and brushing. In 
many cases this faulty action can be improved by proper 
shoeing. In such cases the shoes must be made and set 
to suit each individual animal. 

Fitting the shoe. — In fitting the shoe to the hoof care 
must be exercised not to rob the hoof or leave too much 

horn, as either mistake may 
lead to injury. Of the many 
factors to be considered in pre- 
paring the hoof, perhaps the 
most important is to keep the 
foot perfectly level, thus pre- 
venting undue weight being 
thrown on any part, with all 
the attending injuries. The 
frog should not be touched fur- 
ther than to remove tags or 
layers that are so loose as to 
form no protection. The object 
sought is to make the foot nor- 
mal, and then make the shoe fit 
the foot. In leveling the hoof, 
carefully note the wear of the old shoe. It gives evidence 
of the manner in which the hoof has been set to the 
ground since the shoe was nailed to it. The shoe should 
be fitted cold. Never place a hot shoe against a freshly 
pared sole, as it not only causes the animal pain but may 
lead to injury. 

Nailing and clinching the shoe. — In nailing the shoe to 
the foot the nails should not be driven too near the edge 
of the sole, for in such cases it is necessary to drive the 
nails too far up into the wall to make them hold. If 




Fig. 164. — Well-Fitted Shoe 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE 



371 



driven high, when the shoes are reset or the horse reshod, 
the former nail holes are near the edge and serve to 
weaken the hoof and interfere with driving the new nails. 
On the other hand, if the nails are small in size and set 
well back, they can be 
driven so as to come 
out well down on the 
hoof, say an inch and 
one-half above the 
shoe. Nails thus driven 
destroy the least possi- 
ble amount of horn and 
have a wide, strong 
clinch, thus giving the 
strongest possible hold 
on the wall, because the 
clinch holds more 
nearly at right angles 
to the grain of the wall, 
than if driven high. 
After driving the nails 
they are clinched in a 
small groove fitted for 
the purpose. Smooth 
with a rasp, but never 
rasp the outside of the 
hoof, as it will remove 
the natural protective 
covering. It is of the 
utmost importance that 
this natural covering 
be not removed, as the 
hoof will absorb water in the wet season and dry out 
much more rapidly during the dry season. 

Resetting the shoes. — It is important that the shoes be 
reset frequently, as the hoof grows out over the shoe, 
thereby causing the shoe to bear on the sole instead of 




Fig. 165. — Methods of Shoeing 

1, Normal position; 2, hasten the action; 

3, retard the action. 



3/2 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

on the wall of the hoof. As to the frequency of resetting, 
all depends on the conditions, such as the severity of the 
work, the nature of the footing, whether icy or dirt, and 
the individuality of the animal. Some horses at very 
severe work may require the shoes to be reset every 
week, while others at light work may suffer no incon- 
venience if left on eight weeks or until the shoes wear out. 
Shoes for unsound feet. — There are a great variety of 
horse shoes upon the market, many of which have been 
designed from time to time to save and perfect unsound 
feet. Such shoes may allay the pain and prolong the use- 
fulness of the horse, but most of them allow dirt and 
filth to gather under the protecting pad. Because of the 
wet, dirty and filthy condition of the frog and sole of the 
foot, due to the dirt being retained by the pad and to the 
partial exclusion of the air, the foot tends to become soft, 
tender and diseased. Various forms of rubber pads, 
rubber shoes, rope shoes, fiber shoes and other contriv- 
ances to diminish the shock and prevent slipping on the 
hard slippery pavements of our large cities are in use. 
They are usually expensive, but many of them are rather 
efficient in deadening the sound and preventing slipping 
on paved and cement streets, though not so effective 
on ice. 



CHAPTER XXXVII 
PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 

The usefulness and value of a horse depend on his 
training and on his being readily subservient to his mas- 
ter's will. The horse is man's principal beast of burden, 
and is constantly associated with him in the perform- 
ance of his work. This association establishes a close 
relationship. Since the effectiveness with which the 
work is performed depends on their mutual understand- 
ing, it seems well worth while to give the methods of 
establishing agreeable relationships between horse and 
master careful consideration. 

In common usage, the term ''breaking" is employed to 
designate the preparation of the horse for his life work. 
This usage is unfortunate. Only too often the horse is 
broken in spirit and obeys, or, more accurately, does not 
resist his master because he is worked down and worn 
out and does not have the energy to resist. Through- 
out this book the term "training" is employed to signify 
the educating of the horse, as it conveys the proper mean- 
ing, the object being to train the horse so as to increase 
his efficiency, and not to break that high and superb 
spirit that makes him the most desired of all farm 
animals. 

Training the foal. — The foal should be handled and 
taught a few simple lesso,ns while young. It is so much 
easier to train the foal at this tim^e, as he has fewer ideas 
of his own and fewer fixed habits. If the youngster is 
thrifty and strong, the very first day of his life is none too 
soon to begin the training, as we can show, rather than 
force him to do that which he does not understand. 

Catching the foal. — The first time the young foal is 
caught he should be held in such a manner as not to 



374 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



cause him fright. In order to do this we should make a 
careful study of the factors that govern the movements 
of the animal. If v^e touch the hindquarters, he moves 
forv^ard, and if we touch the forequarters he moves back- 
ward. If a horse gets his fore foot over an obstruction of 
any kind and feels the pressure on the foot or leg, he 
moves backward until he frees himself, even though he 

injures himself in doing so, 
whereas he could very 
easily step over the ob- 
struction by a forward 
movement. If the hind 
foot is fast he moves for- 
ward in a similar manner. 
Thus it is that pressure in 
front stimulates a back- 
ward movement, while 
pressure behind stimulates 
a forward movement. This 
is an important observa- 
tion and perhaps the gov- 
erning principle in all horse 
training, and should always 
be kept in mind when 
handling horses. 
In catching a foal, gently place one arm under the neck 
and the other under the hams. If he attempts to go for- 
ward, apply pressure at the neck, or if he attempts to go 
backward, apply the pressure at the hams. If it is de- 
sired to have him step forward, relieve the pressure at 
the neck and apply it at the hams, or if it is desired to 
have the foal step backward, relieve the pressure at the 
hams and apply it at the neck. The young foal that is 
caught in this manner will soon become quiet, when he 
should be caressed. (Fig. i66.) 

Secure the foal's confidence. — Young foals are naturally 
very timid and when caught should be handled very 




Fig. 166. — Catching the Foal 



PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 375 

gently. It is important to secure his complete confidence 
before he is set free. To do this feed him sweets from 
the palm of the hand ; as sugar is sweeter than the dam's 
milk, it seems. to give him the idea that we are his friend, 
and instead of fleeing as we enter the stall he will come 
to meet us,'placing as much confidence in us as in his 
mother. 'In handling the foal, we should be careful to 
avoid confusing or exciting him. Extra care should be 
taken when handling the ears, the back of the fore legs, 
the flanks and the front of the hind legs, as these parts 
are extremely sensitive to the touch. The foal should be 
handled from both sides so as to become familiar with 
strange objects from every quart^;" Teach the young 
foal useful things only. It is important to make the first 
lessons short and simple, and of such a nature that they 
can be understood very easily and even more easily 
accomplished. 

Teach the foal to lead.-^When the foal is about ten 
days to two weeks old he should be taught to lead. 
A web halter is preferable to a leather one, as it is much 
lighter and softer on the head. Never use a rope halter on 
a young foal. Adjust the web halter to the head, fastening 
up any loose straps that may be hanging down, as these 
annoy the foal. Do not be in a hurry, but let him get 
acquainted with everything as you proceed. When ready, 
coax the youngster along behind his mother on some ac- 
customed route, as to the water trough and back. If 
sweets are available, let him taste them occasionally and 
he will soon follow promptly. If he resents, however, do 
not pull on his head, but take advantage of his natural 
instinct and apply pressure at the rear as we wish him 
to move forward. 

DifBcult to lead. — Secure a small rope, or sash cord, 
and tie a large loop in one end. This loop should be of 
sufiflcient size so that w^hen placed in position on the foal 
it will surround his quarters, leaving the knot well for- 
ward on the back. Pass the free end along the back and 



■^y 



376 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



through the ring on the halter. This is called the quar- 
ter hitch. Now take the halter strap in one hand, the 
quarter hitch rope in the other. Pull gently on the 
halter strap and as the foal begins to shake his head give 
the quarter hitch rope a -strong pull and he will immedi- 
ately move forward. Do not hurry, but give him time 




FIG. 167.— DIFFICULT TO LEAD 



to get used to the lesson. Caress him and feed sweets. 
Soon he will follow wherever you lead. (Fig. 167.) 

Teach the foal to drive with lines. — After the foal 
understands the use of the halter, he should be taught to 
drive with lines. To do this adjust a surcingle around 
the foal's body. The surcingle should be provided with 
a loop on each side, placed well below the center of the 
body. Pass the lines through the loops and fasten to the 
rings on the sides of the halter. Never use any kind of bit 
in the mouth of a young animal. Now the lines will pass 
the quarters low down and thus prevent the foal from 
turning his head toward us, which he will do occasion- 



PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 377 

ally if the surcingle is not used. Keep the lines low in 
turning to make the guiding process easy. At first, walk 
close up to the foal so as to encourage him to go forward 
by occasionally touching the rump with the hand. Do 
not hurry the foal. The first day teach him to guide to 
the right and left, the second day of driving teach the 
command 'whoa," the third day ''get up," and the fourth 
day teach the command "back" (p. 379). 

Training the work horse. — In training horses, young or 
old, there are a few general considerations that should be 
kept constantly in mind. A horse should never be trusted 
more than is necessary. Children, women or incom- 
petent persons should never be left in charge of a horse 
unless the animal is thoroughly acquainted with them. 
In handling a horse, the safest way is to remain close to 
the animal's left shoulder, grasping the bridle close to 
the mouth with the right hand. In tieing to a post or 
hitching rack, the horse should be secured by a strong 
rope or strap placed about the neck, then passed through 
the ring of the bit and on to the post. In bridling, har- 
nessing and saddling a horse the work should be done 
from the left side. In hitching, the lines should be at- 
tached into the bit and then placed where they can be 
reached easily before hitching the horse to the vehicle. 
In unhitching, the lines should be the last disengaged, 
and care should be taken that the animal is free from the 
vehicle before he is led away. 

Age to train the horse for work. — There are many fac- 
tors influencing the most profitable age at which to train 
horses for work, chief of which are the breed, the in- 
dividuality and the work to be performed. As a rule, the 
draft breeds mature younger than the lighter breeds, and, 
therefore, may be put to moderate work younger. Some 
individuals develop more rapidly than others, and as they 
mature earlier, they may be put to work younger. The 
work performed likewise has a bearing upon the age of 
training. Draft horses and saddle horses, because of the 



378 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



force applied at the collar and the weight borne on the 
back, should be reasonably mature ; whereas among 
horses intended for fast driving on the race track, where 
the weight borne is light, many good horsemen feel that 
the training cannot begin too soon, and such horses are 
often put into training at a very early age. 

Some persons fmd it profitable to put colts to moderate 
work as early as two and one-half years of age, and even 
before, while others delay training until coming four years 




FIG. 168.— BITTING HARNESS 



old. These ages represent the extremes. In general, the 
horse should not be put to work until two and one-half 
years of age, and even then the work must be moderate 
and the working hours short. On the other hand, if the 
animal is thrifty it is poor economy to keep him in idle- 
ness after he is four years of age. 

Bitting the horse. — Perhaps no factor in the training of 
horses, whether for work or pleasure, is of greater im- 
portance than that of educating them to the uses of the 
bit. The thoroughness v/ith which this is done will go 



PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 379 

far toward determining their usefulness. Before bitting 
the horse, the mouth should be examined for sores, as it 
is not possible to train a horse to the uses of the bit while 
suffering from sore mouth. While the proper bit to use 
will depend somewhat on the object sought, yet in most 
cases a straight or slightly curved bar bit cannot be im- 
proved upon. In case the horse's mouth is tender the 
bar bit should be covered with rubber or leather. 

The horse can usually be made familiar with the uses 
of the bit by the application of the bitting harness. This 
harness consists of an open bridle with check rein, a 
surcingle and crupper, and two side lines running from 
the bit to rings on either side of the surcingle. ( Fig. i68.) 
With this harness properly adjusted, turn the horse loose 
into a paddock to familiarize himself with the bit. The side 
and check reins should be slack at first, but gradually 
tightened from day to day. The first lessons should not 
continue more than half an hour at a time, but two may 
be given each day. Subsequently the lessons may be 
longer. The number of lessons necessary to teach the 
uses of the bit will vary according to the individual. 
Some horses will drive after one or two, while others will 
require a week or more before they will fully understand 
its uses. 

Teaching the commands. — As soon as the horse be- 
comes familiar with the bit, the side reins may be sub- 
stituted for lines, and he may be driven about the 
paddock. After driving the horse until he is going 
smoothly, give the command *'whoa," followed by a 
strong swinging pull on both lines, and the moment the 
horse stops slacken the lines. If necessary to stop the 
horse, repeat the word and action. The next day teach 
the command "get up." When ready to start, give the 
command ''get up," pausing a moment, then striking him 
a light tap with the whip. When going smoothly, stop 
at the command "whoa." Repeat until he obeys both 
commands promptly. Next teach the command "back." 



380 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

The work horse should be taught few words, and each 
should stand for a definite action. Six words will answer 
all practical purposes, and it is important that the horse 
be thoroughly trained to obey each. "Whoa" means to 
stop and stand still ; "get up," to go forward ; "back," to 
move backward ; "steady," to give attention ; "haw," to 
go to the left ; and *'gee" means to go to the right. 

Hitching and driving. — As soon as the horse obeys the 
commands he should be harnessed and hitched. To 
familiarize him with the pressure of the shafts he should 
first be poled. To do this, procure a light pole five or six 
feet long, and let the horse smell and feel it with his nose. 
Then gently rub the pole over the nose, face, neck and 
the entire body, especially along the inside and outside of 
the fore and hind legs. 

If at all convenient, the first time the horse is hitched, 
a training cart — one with long shafts, substantially con- 
structed, and the seat so arranged that the driver can get 
off and on quickly — should be employed. Before attach- 
ing to the vehicle, the horse should be made thoroughly 
familiar with it. To do this, lead the horse up to the rig 
and allow him to smell and feel the shafts. Rub them 
along his head, neck, shoulders, body and legs. Now the 
horse may be attached with perfect safety, although a 
kick strap should be employed at first. 

Training the horse to objects of fear. — After the horse 
drives smoothly he should be made familiar with the 
various sounds and objects he is likely to meet, particu- 
larly along the busy thoroughfares of cities. To famil- 
iarize the horse with a street car, choose a road or street 
where the car line crosses, drive the horse up to within 
100 yards of the track and stop until the car passes. If 
he seems nervous, caress him. Drive over the track an 
equal distance and stop while another car passes. This 
time the noise is in the rear. Repeat this process, work- 
ing the horse closer as each car passes. In a similar manner 
familiarize him with other objects that cause him fright. 



PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 



381 



Train the horse to walk fast. — There is no gait so valu- 
able or so much appreciated and so practically useful in 
a horse as a fast, square walk. It is not difficult to train 
the average horse to walk fast, providing the proper 
methods are employed in the early training. From the 
very beginning keep the horse walking up to his limit. 
We should never allow him to mope along at this time, 
or the habit will become so strongly fixed that it will 
be difficult to overcome. During the entire training 




FIG. 169.— GUY LINE 



process, therefore, urge him to his limit and he will get 
into the habit of walking fast. 

Training the wild horse. — The training of stubborn, re- 
fractory and wild horses calls for more strenuous methods 
than have hitherto been suggested. Perhaps the greater 
number of such animals owe their faults to inequalities 
of temper. It is, therefore, of much importance that the 
temperaments be studied carefully. Horses may be 
divided into four general classes according to their tem- 



382 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



per: Teachable, nervous, stubborn and treacherous (p. 
19). The methods to be employed in training such 
horses will vary according to the individual, but the ap- 
plication of appliances somewhat similar to the following 
may be necessary to bring them under subjection : 

The guy line. — This is a lead line or rope for controlling 
wild, refractory and stubborn horses. To make it, pro- 
cure a soft, three-eighths-inch rope about 20 feet long. 
Make a small stationary loop in one end. Place this loop 
imder the left jaw, carrying the free end over the neck 



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FIG. 170.— RAREYS DOUBLE-SAFETY HARNESS AND GUY LINE 



from right to left, then down through the loop and to the 
mouth, passing it through the mouth, back under the 
lower jaw and between the jaw and the rope coming from 
the neck, thus forming a loop around the neck and a half- 
hitch around the jaw. This makes a very efficient lead 
line, though it should never be used in prolonged pulls, 
but in short, quick jerks. (Fig. 169.) 

Rarey's safety harness. — This harness was devised by 
Rarey for use in training wild and vicious horses. There 
are two forms, the single and double safety. In the 
former one front leg only is under control, while in the 



PRACTICAL HORSE TRAINING 



383 



latter both front legs are under restraint. This harness 
consists of two straps fitted with D-shaped rings, which 
are buckled about the pasterns; a surcingle fitted with 
two rings on the belly, three on either side and one over 
the saddle; and a long rope. To arrange the double 
safety, pass one end of the rope through the left ring at 
the belly, then down and through the ring at the left 




FIG. 171.— RAREY'S THROWING HARNESS 

pastern, then up and through the other ring at the belly, 
then down and through the ring at the right pastern, 
then up and tie off at one of the rings on the right side. 
Now, by taking hold of the free end of the rope, we have 
the harness completed. In case the horse is difficult to 
manage, pull on the safety rope and restrain his fore legs. 
If he continues to act up, pull his fore legs up by a jerk 
on the rope and he will come to his knees. As this is a 
very humiliating position it serves to bring the horse 
under subjection. (Fig. 170.) 



384 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Rarey's throwing harness. — In the case of some wild 
horses it is necessary to lay them on the ground to teach 
them subjection. Rarey also devised a harness to ac- 
complish this. It is practically the same as the safety 
harness, with the addition of a heavy strap, which is 
attached to the surcingle on the left side. One end of the 
rope is tied to the ring at the belly, the free end is passed 
through the ring at the right pastern, then the rope is 
passed up through one of the rings on the right side, and 
then on up over the back and the harness is completed. 
(Fig. 171.) 

When ready to lay the horse down, first strap up the 
left fore leg. Take a position near the left shoulder and 
pull the horse's head to the left, then, as he lifts his right 
fore foot draw it up against the breast by pulling on the 
rope over the back. Pull steady on the rope, as the horse 
may rear. Soon he will settle down on his front knees, 
when to lay him down is simply a matter of pushing him 
over. Keep pulling on the rope, however, otherwise he 
may surprise you by quickly jumping to his feet. A few 
lessons of this kind will bring the wildest of horses under 
subjection, when they should be trained as suggested for 
the work horse, although it may be necessary to use the 
single safety for a time. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII 
WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 

There are very few horses to be found in any vicinity 
but that have some faults w^hich detract from their use- 
fulness. These faults vary v^idely in their effect upon 
the horse; some are scarcely noticeable and affect the 
horse but little, while others are very serious and not 
only render the animal useless, but often make him posi- 
tively dangerous. These bad habits may be divided into 
two general classes according to their seriousness : Vice 
and whims; the former comprising the more important 
moral defects, such as balking, kicking, running away, 
and the like, and the latter imperfections of less im- 
portance, such as tongue lolling, tearing blankets, gorging 
grain and the like. 

Causes of whims and vices. — The chief cause of all bad 
habits of the horse is poor management at some stage of 
his career. Such habits may have been formed when the 
colt was small and when he is only too often made to do 
things that seem "cute." In later life these very things 
may serve to lessen his usefulness. They may have been 
formed while the horse was in training. Often the 
horse's mouth is spoiled by the use of a severe bridle-bit 
or an improperly fitting one. Often his shoulders, back 
and tail are made exceedingly sensitive to pressure by im- 
properly fitting harness. 

Many a young horse has been spoiled the first day he 
spent in the stable by the treatment he received. Many 
persons think a green horse should stand much the same 
as a work horse. Thus, if he .appears indifferent and fails to 
stand over when commanded, or if he will not permit his sen- 
sitive abdomen and legs to be curried, or if he objects to hav- 
ing heavy harness with flopping bands thrown over his back, 
he is punished with the first thing the excited attendant 

385 



386 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

can lay hands on, with the result that a habit is established 
which may be exceedingly difficult to overcome. All 
such excitement and resulting bad habits easily can be 
avoided by a little patient effort in properly training the 
horse. It is seldom if ever that a horse is really born 
vicious. While it may be true that tempers are trans- 
mitted, and that certain tempers are more predisposed 
than others to develop vice, yet vice itself is not a 
hereditary character. 

Overcoming whims and vices. — In overcoming bad 
habits in horses we should make a careful study of each 
case in order to ascertain the cause, and, if possible, re- 
move it. Then we must establish a new habit that will 
have a stronger influence on the horse's mind than the 
old one which impairs his usefulness. To do this we 
must impress upon his mind that we are superior and our 
commands must be obeyed. From the beginning, there- 
fore, we must use such appliances as will give us the 
advantage. This can readily be accomplished in either 
of two ways : First, by the application of such appli- 
ances as will use the horse's strength in overcoming him ; 
and, second, by the use of self-punishing harness, which 
will inflict punishment at the instant he violates our wish. 

The horse must be given to understand that he must 
obey us or suffer accordingly. Next, he must be im- 
pressed with the fact that we are his friend. This can be 
accomplished by caressing him and feeding sweets when 
he obeys our commands. To aid in securing his con- 
fidence we should abstain from all forms of punishment 
likely to cause him pain. Thus we should not use the 
whip or spur in overcoming bad habits, as the pain in- 
flicted may provoke further rebellion. 

The most efficient means of punishing the horse in 
overcoming faults is to humiliate him. This seems to 
have a greater effect upon the stubborn horse than any 
form of punishment whereby he is caused physical pain. 
There are two common methods of humiliating the proud 



WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 387 

and vicious horse : First, by pulling him to his knees and 
holding him there until he becomes calm, which can be 
easily accomplished by means of the Rarey double safety ; 
and, second, by laying him on the ground and holding 
him down until he gives in, which can be accomplished 
with the Rarey throwing harness. The great advantage 
of each of these methods is that they do not cause the 
horse ph3^sical pain. 

Outdoor whims and vices, and how to overcome them. 
— There are a number of outdoor faults to which the horse 
is subject, some of which are easily overcome, while 
others are practically impossible, especially after the 
horse becomes confirmed in his habits. 

Balking. — This is largely a nervous trouble, and it is 
useless to punish the horse, if indeed it does not increase 
the difficulty. We must divert the horse's attention from 
his fixed determination not to obey. In young horses this 
can usually be done by quietly arranging the collar or 
bridle; by giving a dainty, as a bite of grass; and by 
picking up one front foot and gently tapping the shoe 
as if there was something wrong. This serves to attract 
the horse's attention, and he will move on without fur- 
ther trouble. 

In older horses and where the habit is fixed, more 
strenuous methods must be employed. First of all, teach 
the commands so that they are obeyed with promptness. If 
necessary use the double safety until the horse understands 
that ''whoa" means to stop and stand still. Next attach 
the guy line, which should be managed by an assistant 
while you drive and tend the safety. If the horse shows 
any tendency to balk give the command ''whoa" at once, 
and before he has time to stop of his own accord. This 
serves to puzzle him. When ready to start the assistant 
should quickly take a position in front of the horse and 
smartly jerk him forward with the* guy line at the same 
time you give the command "get up." As a signal, you 
should snap the whip to the right, but without touching 



388 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the horse, as the command is given. Repeat the process 
of stopping, starting and snapping the whip several times. 
Use the guy line, and use it severely, on the slightest 
intimation that the horse does not w^ant to go w^hen com- 
manded. After a few such lessons there should be no 
further trouble. 

Kicking. — To overcome the habit of kicking, give the 
horse a thorough course in poling (p. 380). If he resists 
attach the guy line and double safety, pull him to his knees 
and continue the poling process. At first refrain from 
touching the hind legs, gradually working the pole back 
along the body. When he becomes submissive while down, 
let him up and continue the poling as before. Now place 
the harness over the double safety, arranging the breast 
band and breeching rather loosely, and placing the traces 
through the rings on the breeching, so that the ends will 
flap about the hind legs and quarters. If he resents the 
pressure on the harness and attempts to kick, give the 
command "steady" and pull him to his knees rather 
severely. Hold him in this position until he becomes 
calm. Continue the process until he submits. 

Procure two long poles, secure one end of each on 
either side at the shaft tug, and allow the other end to 
drag on the ground behind the horse. Drive him about, 
and if he attempts to kick, command "steady" and pull 
him to his knees as before. After he becomes submissive 
to the poles dragging on either side, place them between 
his hind legs and continue as before. At this time care 
should be exercised, for the horse may injure himself. 
Do not continue this part of the lesson long, as the poles 
will rub the legs sore. If he resents this, however, pull 
him to his knees. Repeat until he submits. 

Running away. — To overcome the habit of running 
away first make the horse thoroughly obedient to the com- 
mands and uses of the bit, much as suggested in the case 
of a balking horse. With the guy line and the double 
safety still attached familiarize him with strange objects. 



WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 389 

such as papers, umbrellas, robes, and the like; and to 
sound, as sleigh bells and steam cars. Now pad the 
knees and hitch the horse to a vehicle. After driving 
him about for a time give him an opportunity to run 
away, choosing a straight, wide road. When he gets well 
under way command "steady" and begin to restrain his 
front feet with the safety rope. Slacken him gradually 
until slow enough to permit a sudden stop, then give the 
command 'Vhoa" and bring him to his knees. Repeat 
this a few times. Now tiry him again and just before 
applying the safety rope give him a severe pull on the 
lines in order to impress him that we have the same 
power with the lines that we have with the safety rope. 
Continue this work, driving the horse past objects that 
formerly excited him to run. After a few rather hard 
falls he will usually become submissive. 

Tossing and shaking the head. — Many otherwise good 
driving horses have the very aggravating habit of tossing 
the head up and down, or throwing it from side to side. 
Such nervousness not only detracts from the general 
appearance of the horse, but makes him difficult to drive 
properly, as he pulls the lines through the hands and 
may throw the lines over the end of the shaft and an 
accident result. Such habits are often difficult to over- 
come. First examine the mouth to see that it is free 
from sores and that the bit and bridle are properly ad- 
justed. Procure a short strap about six inches long 
provided w^ith a snap on either end and a loose ring in 
the center. Snap the leather to the bit rings so the loose 
ring on the leather will remain under the lower jaw. 
Now secure a strap to this loose ring, pass it down be- 
tween the front legs and attach to the belly band, similar 
to a standard martingale. When the horse is properly 
reined this is a very effective appliance, as he is unable 
to move the head out of position. 

Tongue-lolling. — Many good driving horses have the 
disagreeable habit of protruding the tongue from the 



390 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

mouth. This is very unsightly and lessens the sensitive- 
ness of the mouth, besides exposing the tongue to injury. 
The habit is usually due to improper bitting and is often 
difficult to overcome. The tongue-lolling bit v^as de- 
vised to overcome the habit and is perhaps the most 
effective measure that we have at present. (Fig. 174; 15.) 

Halter-pulling. — There are three hitches in common use 
in overcoming the habit of halter-pulling, the loin-hitch, 
the tail-hitch, and the foot-hitch. To arrange the loin- 
hitch secure a three-quarter-inch rope about 15 feet long, 
and tie a small stationary loop in one end. Place the rope 
around the horse's body just in front of the hips with the 
loop under the abdomen, and run the free end through the 
loop, pass it forward between the fore legs, up through 
the ring at the halter, then around a solid post, and back 
and tie into the ring at the halter. Now excite the horse 
to pull back. The moment he feels the pressure around 
the body he bounds forward. To avoid any further 
trouble, force him back into the rope severely by tapping 
him across the nose with the whip. This causes him to 
go back into the rope with much force, which, coupled 
with the fright caused by the whip at the nose, never fails 
to bring him forward. Caress him while he stands by the 
post. After a few such struggles it will be difficult to 
get him to pull back. 

In overcoming halter pulling some persons prefer the 
tail-hitch, although it is rather severe. To arrange the 
tail-hitch, tie a stationary loop in one end of the rope 
sufficiently large to go about the tail similar to a crupper, 
passing the free end forward through the turret at the 
saddle, on through the ring at the halter, then around 
the post, and back and tie into the halter ring as before. 
With this appliance the pressure is brought to bear at 
the tail, a very sensitive part, and he bounds forward. 
This hitch is likely to abrade the tail. To arrange the 
foot-hitch, secure one end of the rope about a pastern, 
pass the free end up through the ring at the halter and 



WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 



391 



on to the post, then back to the halter and tie as before. 
Now when the horse pulls he jerks one leg out from under 
him, which puzzles him so greatly that he soon ceases to 
pull back. 

Stable whims and vices, and how to overcome them. — 
Horses are even more likely to develop bad habits in the 
stable than outdoors, particularly if ill-treated or denied 
sufficient exercise. These habits are often very danger- 
ous and usually lessen the usefulness of the horse pos- 
sessing them. 

Difficult to harness. — Some rather nervous horses have 
very sensitive skins and, if not properly trained, may be 
difficult to groom and harness. 
Many horses are especially 
sensitive along the abdomen, 
the back of the fore legs and 
the front of the hind legs, and 
care should be exercised in 
handling these parts. To 
overcome horses difficult to 
groom, harness or crupper, 
first pole them thoroughly as 
suggested for a horse that 
kicks. After becoming sub- 
missive to the pole, arrange 
a noose twitch or a war bridle 
on the horse. 

To make a noose twitch 
procure a small rope, such as a sash cord, and at one end 
tie a small stationary loop. Hold this loop on the right 
side of the horse's head, placing the free end of the rope 
over the head just back of the ears, down the right side 
and in the mouth just under the upper lip and on top of 
the teeth, and then up and through the loop at the right 
side of the head and the twitch is completed. (Fig. 172.) 

To make a war bridle take a small rope, as a sash cord, 
9.nd tie a small stationary loop in one end just large 




Fig. 172. — Noose Twitch 



392 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



enough to go in the horse's mouth and around the lower 
jaw. Place this in the horse's mouth with the knot and 
free end on the right side. Bring the free end up over 
the head, down the left side and through the loop at the 
mouth. Now pass the rope back over the head, this 
time from left to right, and just back of the ears, then 
down the right side through the mouth under the upper 
lip and on top of the teeth, and then pass the rope 

through the part 
which passes over the 
head and the bridle is 
completed, (Fig. 173.) 
With either the 
noose twitch or war 
bridle attached, we 
are in a position to 
punish the horse by 
jerking on the rope 
should he attempt to 
resist as we harness or 
groom him. Continue 
with the appliance un- 
til he becomes per- 
fectly" submissive to 
being groomed or harnessed. To complete the work, in a 
similar manner, educate him to stand while being har- 
nessed from the right side. 

Biting. — When the horse is troubled but mildly, biting 
can be overcome by the use of the war bridle. Place this 
on him, and when he attempts to nip, punish him severely 
with the bridle. Now tempt him to bite, and then punish 
him if he does. Soon he will associate the punishing with 
the nipping, and will cease. If he still persists, apply the 
wooden gag. This gag is made from a block of hard 
wood, about five inches long and i^ inches square. A 
hole is bored through the center, longways, for a chain 
which is attached to a headstall. The gag is then put in 





%, 










'4.- 


• 


r 


W^ 


'f 




,^*> 






.--;^^ 



Fig. 173. — War-Bridle 



WHIMS AND VICES OF THE HORSE 393 

the mouth the same as a bridle bit. Now should the 
horse attempt to bite the corners on the gag cut his gums. 
A few lessons, one each day, will serve to overcome most 
biters. 

Tearing blankets. — When standing in the stable many 
horses have the habit of biting and tearing their blankets. 
To overcome this, attach one end of a bar to the halter 
and the other end to a surcingle. As this prevents the 
horse from turning the head to either side, he cannot 
reach the blanket with his teeth. Another device is 
made by using a noseband and suspending small, short 
chains from the front, back and side in such a form, that 
w^hen the horse turns to get hold of the blanket with his 
teeth, the chain appliance prevents him from doing so. 
This has the advantage of the muzzle in that the animal 
can eat with it attached. 

Gorging grain. — There are many methods of overcom- 
ing the horse that eats greedily, often swallowing his grain 
without mastication. A very good plan is to feed the 
grain in a large, flat-bottomed grain box, as this prevents 
the horse from getting much grain at a mouthful. Some 
persons feed the grain on hay, and others recommend 
placing round stones in the grain box, but the confirmed 
grain gorger is usually an adept at throwing stones out 
before eating the grain. 

Rolling. — To overcome the habit of rolling in the stall, 
secure a small ring and sew it in the top of the halter. 
Suspend a small rope from the ceiling so that it will hang 
directly over the horse's neck when standing at the man- 
ger. Attach a snap to the lower end of the rope, and snap 
into the ring at the top of the halter. This rope should 
be long enough to allow the horse to get his nose to the 
ground. This will permit him to lie down, but as he 
cannot place the top of his head on the ground he is un- 
able to roll. 

Difficult to shoe. — Because of improper training many 
horses are difficult to shoe. To overcome this habit. 



394 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

first pole the legs thoroughly as suggested for the kicker. 
Next attach the war bridle and gently run the hand down 
the left shoulder toward the leg. If the horse resists 
punish him with the bridle. Continue working the hand 
down the leg and punish with the bridle, until he sub- 
mits. Lift the foot, and if he resists strap it up as in 
throwing with the throwing harness. Now lead him 
about on three feet for a few minutes to teach him to 
balance himself. If he attempts to settle down on one 
knee punish with the war bridle. Change the leg strap 
to the other side and gentle the right front foot in a 
similar manner. 

To gentle the left hind foot, rub the hand along the 
body and down the hind leg to the hoof, punishing with 
the war bridle if he resists. Attach the rope to the left 
hind pastern. If he attempts to kick, strap up the left 
fore foot. Should he attempt to kick in this position he 
w^U throw himself out of balance and fall. As soon as 
the rope is secured to the hind pastern, unstrap the front 
one. Now have an assistant take this rope and attempt 
to lift the foot with it, first standing well in front and out 
of the horse's reach should he attempt to kick. If the 
horse refuses to lift the foot, give several sharp jerks on 
the war bridle, when he will usually raise it. Next have 
the assistant take a position in the rear, and try to lift 
the foot as before, standing well back behind the horse. 
If the horse refuses, punish with the bridle, when he will 
usually lift it. Gentle the other hind foot similarly. 



CHAPTER XXXIX 
HARNESSING THE HORSE 

The various parts of the harness should be properly 
adjusted, as a perfectly fitted harness adds much to the 
horse's comfort and mcreases his usefulness. The horse 
not only accomplishes his work by means of the harness, 
but receives much of his information concerning our 
wishes by it as well. Thus unequal pressure due to 
poorly fitting harness is likely to abrade the parts and 
leave the impression with the horse that we are punishing 
him, which may provoke vicious habits. This is em- 
phasized by the fact that a sore mouth produced by a 
poorly fitted bit or bridle often excites the horse to 
running away ; a sore neck or shoulders, the result of an 
ill-fitting collar, often induces the horse to balking ; and 
a sore tail, produced by an improperly adjusted crupper, 
often provokes the horse to kicking. Since not only the 
usefulness of the horse, but his safety as well, depends 
so largely upon the adjustment of the harness, much 
careful consideration should be given to the harnessing 
of the horse. 

Bridle and check rein. — Since the bridle and bit is our 
main reliance for conveying orders to the horse's mind 
for execution, it is important that it be properly adjusted 
so as to retain the natural sensitiveness of the mouth. A 
responsive mouth contributes to the efficiency and safety 
of the horse. A good mouth — one with sensitive bars — 
is natural to the horse. "'Tender," ''hard,'' and all kinds 
of "spoiled" mouths result from improper training and 
handling. When we recall the extreme tenderness of the 
horse's mouth, the cruel manner in which it is often fitted 
and the pain resulting from the sores thus produced, we 
can appreciate why a horse may lag behind until the parts 



396 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



become numbed, then begin pulling on the bit, going with 
mouth open, holding the head to one side, lolling the 




FIG. 174.— TYPES OF BRIDLE BITS 



l,_bar bit; 2, jointed bit; 3, chain center soft rubber bit; 4, bar bit, half cheek; 
jointed bit, half cheek; 6, triumph bit; 7, Victor bit; 8, Norton bit; 9, Success bit; 
, Sanborn bit; 11, regulation bit; 12, J. S. C. bit; 13, W. wire bit; 14, humane 
; 15, tongue-lolling bit; 16, Perfection bit; 17, Lecompt bit; 18, riding bit. 



tongue, slobbering, rearing, mixing the gaits, and in 

many other ways showing the discomfort he is suffering. 

The bridle bit. — As a rule, in the control of the horse. 



HARNESSING THE HORSE 397 

too much is expected from the bit alone. Some persons 
seem to think that by using a severe bit they should be 
able to control the horse, even though he has not been 
properly trained. Because of this feeling many types of 
bits have been devised to meet the various and peculiar 
habits of the horse, most of which have been designated 
to punish him and to irritate the sensitive parts, thus 
defeating the object they w^ere devised to accomplish. 
In the control of the horse it must be remembered that 
if the bit is to be effective, it is essential that the bars of 
the mouth retain their natural sensitiveness, w^hich can 
be attained by the use of an easy and light bit handled 
w^th care. 

Bridle bits may be classified in two ways : First, ac- 
cording to their form, such as straight bar, jointed and 
curb; and, second, according to their function, as mild, 
medium and severe. The straight bar bit consists of a 
solid mouthpiece without lever action. It is the mildest 
form of bit, as there is a minimum amount of 
pressure on the bars of the horse's mouth. The 
jointed or snaffle bit consists of a jointed mouthpiece, 
also without lever action. This is a mild bit, although 
considerable pressure may be brought to bear upon the 
bars of the horse's mouth. Curb bits are made in a num- 
ber of styles, but each consists primarily of a solid mouth- 
piece, which may be straight or slightly curved. This bit 
is used with a curb chain or strap attached and a lever 
action is obtained, the efficiency of which depends on the 
manner in which the bit and chain are arranged. There 
are also a number of styles of severe bits upon the mar- 
ket, each having for its main object that of punishment, 
which is always to be avoided, as it destroys the natural 
sensitiveness of the mouth. These bits usually consist 
of double bars so arranged that when drawn tightly by 
the lines they have a tendency to pinch the jaws and may 
cause the horse much pain. (Fig. 174.) 

The straight bar bit is useful for horses with tender 



398 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

mouths. To make the bit still more mild, it is often cov- 
ered with leather or rubber. Not only are bits of this 
type used on animals with very tender mouths, but they 
are very efficient in overcoming bad habits where severe 
bits utterly fail. The jointed bit is a very useful type, 
and many horses work more agreeably with it than with 
the bar bit, as it gives more room for the tongue. The 
severe bit should never be used unless it is absolutely 
necessary, as it is likely to result in more harm than good. 
While the mild bit is the one to use as a general rule, 
there may be times when a severe one is needed. Be- 
cause of this, several attempts have been made to con- 
struct a bit that can be variously applied, so as to form 
either a mild or severe one as desired. 

The curb bit is used to improve the action of driving 
and high-acting horses. Thus the horse properly fitted 
with a curb bit gets his head up and nose in and shows 
himself to much better advantage than with any other 
kind of bit. However, the curb bit should be used only 
by those who are familiar with it, as it may become a 
very cruel instrument in the hands of the inexperienced. 

Head stall and blinds. — The comfort and usefulness of 
the bit depends largely upon the adjustment of the cheek 
straps. The bridle should be so adjusted as to keep the 
bit in its proper place — right across the bars of the mouth 
just above the tushes. This is very important, for if the 
cheek straps are too long, then the bit drops and is 
loosely applied, with the result that the horse becomes 
careless and unmindful of our wishes. On the other 
hand, if the cheek straps are too short, then the bit is 
drawn upward into the angles of the mouth and becomes 
a constant source of annoyance to the horse and may 
produce a sore mouth. 

The advisability of using blinds on the bridle depends 
largely on the conditions. During the training period 
blinds should not be used. No horse can be said to be 
trained until he is familiar with objects at all angles, and 



HARNESSING THE HORSE 399 

this can be accomplished only by the use of an open 
bridle. After training, however, there is no important 
objection to the use of blinds, although even then they 
add weight, are warm in summer and very annoying to 
the horse. When blinds are used they should be of the 
same height on the horse's head and firmly attached to 
the bridle so they cannot swing back and forth. 

The check rein. — The efficiency of the horse depends 
much upon the manner in which the head is held. If the 
horse is given the freedom of his head he is likely to be- 
come careless in his habits and shambling in his gait. 
On the other hand, if the head is checked too high the 
animal's usefulness is lessened thereby, as he cannot apply 
himself. There are two common methods of checking 
the horse's head : First, by the means of the side rein, 
and, second, by the overdraw check rein. The former is 
used largely on work horses and the latter on driving 
horses. While the side rein is not so effective in hold- 
ing the head up, it is more comfortable and enables the 
horse to perform his w^ork more effectively. He is not 
so likely to stumble, and will pull a much heavier load. 
This is because he has more liberty with his head, thereby 
enabling him to see the ground immediately in front, and 
to lower the head, thus throwing more power into the 
collar. 

While the overdraw check rein holds the head higher, 
yet there are many objections to its use. This rein was 
devised for trotting horses, to be used for short periods 
of time only, and where the surface was as smooth as the 
floor. At present, however, it is used almost exclusively 
on driving horses, on all kinds of roads, and for indefinite 
periods of time. When so used there are many strong 
objections to the overdraw check, chief of which are that 
it holds the head in such a position that the animal is 
unable to see the ground immediately in front of him, 
and he has not the freedom to apply himself so as to 
pull effectively, particularly in ascending a grade. He is 



400 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



unable to lower his head, and hence can put little power 
into the collar. Further, when reined too tight it holds 
the head and neck in such an unnatural position that they 
soon become numbed and the horse is seen to toss his 
head from side to side and to take other characteristic 
attitudes in search of relief. 

Collars. — The service of the horse is very largely ac- 
complished by means of the collar, and it is of the utmost 
importance that it fit the neck and shoulders perfectly. 
The unequal pressure due to a poorly fitted collar causes 




FIG. 175.— TYPES OF COLLARS 
1, Humane; 2, pneumatic; 3, steel; 4, leather. 

the horse much pain and often results in a sore neck or 
sore shoulders. Such sores are a rather common cause 
of vicious habits among horses, particularly balking, 
striking and kicking. 

Kinds of collars. — Because of the difficulty in keeping 
the neck and shoulders in a thrifty condition, many types 
of collars have been devised to meet the needs of the 
horse. Chief among these types are the various styles 
of the common leather; the pneumatic, the metal, and the 
humane. The adherents of each of these types assert 
superiority over the other. The humane collar differs in 
shape from any of the others. It consists of a metal 
frame and two broad leather pads, one for either shoul- 



HARNESSING THE HORSE 4OI 

der. The pneumatic collar consists of a metal frame 
lined with rubber, which is inflated similarly to an auto- 
mobile tire. The bearing surface of a metal collar is 
shaped somewhat like that of a leather collar, and all the 
parts are of metal. (Fig. 175.) 

While all kinds of claims are made by the adherents of 
these patent collars, the leather collar still holds first 
place among horsemen generally. To meet the various 
needs of the horse, leather collars are made in many 
shapes, chief of which are full sweeny, half sweeny, kan- 
garoo leather face, Irish or cloth face, common leather 
face, and the like. 

Fitting the collar. — To avoid sore neck and sore shoul- 
ders the collar should be properly adjusted. Leather 
collars are so firm and stiff that it is difficult to adjust 
them to the neck and shoulders. To overcome this dif- 
ficulty take the poorly fitting collar, new or old, wrap it 
round and round again with thoroughly wet sacking and 
let it remain overnight. In the morning place it on the 
horse, and with the hame straps adjust it snugly to the 
shoulders and neck, then work the horse moderately 
through the day. Soaking the collar in this way serves 
to soften it and then it will adjust itself to every inequal- 
ity of the shoulders and neck, so that the horse will sel- 
dom be troubled with soreness. The shoulders of no 
two horses are exactly alike, and each should have his 
own collar. 

Sweat pads and housings. — A collar that will fit in the 
early spring when the horse is fat may be too large later, 
Avhen he is worked down, so that it may be necessary to 
use pads or get another collar. Sweat pads, however, 
are rather objectionable, as they are very warm and the 
neck and shoulders can be kept in a more healthy condi- 
tion without them. When the pads are used they should 
be kept clean. 

Horses that work in the winter, or during the rainy 
season, should have their necks protected by housings, 



402 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

as these serve to keep out the water. While these hous- 
ings are rather expensive, they will prove economical for 
the working horse during the winter season because of 
the protection given the neck and shoulders. 

Breast harness.— For light driving, the breast harness 
is preferred to the collar. It is lighter and cooler and 
when properly adjusted does not interfere with the action 
so much as collar harness. In fitting breast harness care 



FIG. 176.— HEAVY WORK HARNESS 

must be exercised in adjusting the neck strap, for if too 
long, the harness will drop and interfere with the action 
of the fore legs, or if too short, the harness will be drawn 
up and choke the animal, particularly in ascending a 
grade. 

Crupper and back strap. — To meet the needs of the 
horse a variety of types of cruppers have been devised, 
some of which are very large, for preventing a horse from 
dropping his tail down on the lines and for improving 
the general appearance. The medium-sized crupper, free 
from folds, is recommended. In fitting the crupper extra 
care must be exercised in adjusting the check rein and 
back strap, for if either are too short the crupper will be 



HARNESSING THE HORSE 403 

drawn tightly against the tail. The under part of the 
tail being very tender, this is likely to cause soreness and 
thus lessen the reliability of the horse, as the horse with 
a sore tail is often difficult to control, particularly when 
he gets his tail over the line. On the other hand, if the 
back strap is too long and the crupper too loose it may 
result in the harness sliding to one side. 

Saddle and back band. — The importance of the saddle 
and back band depends on the arrangement of the breech- 
ing and holdbacks. If the holdbacks are so arranged that 
in backing pressure is brought upon the saddle, it is im- 
portant that it be properly fitted. Often this is neglected 
and a sore back results. With the saddle in- its proper 
place on the back there is little or no danger that the 
horse's back will become sore or abraded, particularly if 
the parts are kept smooth and clean. If there is extra 
pressure on the saddle, as is often the case when hitched 
to single rigs, saddle pads should be used. 

Breeching and holdbacks. — Where there is much back- 
ing to be done, or in sections of the country that are hilly 
or mountainous, the breeching and holdbacks assume 
much importance. W^hile there are a variety of types of 
holdbacks on the market, they can be divided into four 
general classes : Breeching and shaft holdbacks, yoke 
and collar holdbacks, breeching and belly martingale 
holdbacks, and Boston holdbacks. These holdbacks may 
be attached in a variety of ways. The breeching is com- 
monly employed with each except the yoke and collar 
holdback. The saddle may be discarded in the breech- 
ing and belly martingale holdback as well as in the Bos- 
ton, in which case crotch back straps and hip straps are 
usually employed. 

The breeching and shaft holdback is used only with 
single rigs and the breeching is attached directly to the 
shaft by means of holdback straps. The holdback straps 
must be' properly adjusted. If too short, they draw the 
horse forward, and interfere with his action, whereas if 



404 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



too long the breeching hangs loose and the rig will have 
a jerky motion. 

The yoke and collar holdback is intended only for light 
rigs. The backing is accomplished very largely w^ith the 
neck by means of the yoke and collars. Sometimes a 
martingale is used, and a part of the backing is accom- 
plished by pulling dov^n on the saddle. With the breech- 
ing and belly martingale holdback, much of the backing 

is accomplished by 
means of breeching, 
though extra pres- 
sure is often 
brought to bear on 
the top of the neck. 
While this is a 
more efficient 
backer than the 
yoke and collar, 
both are open to 
the same general 
criticisms in respect 
to producing sore 
necks. 

In case the loads 
are heavy and 
there is consider- 
able backing to be accomplished, the Boston holdback is 
recommended. The backing is accomplished w^ith the 
breeching by means of tugs extending from the breech- 
ing to the jockey yoke. The draft, therefore, is in a 
straight line from the end of the tongue to the quarters, 
thus giving the horse his maximum efficiency in backing. 
This is by far the easiest on the horse, as there is but little 
pressure on the neck and none on the back. 

Care of harness. — Harness should receive good care, as 
this w^ill increase the length of its usefulness and lessen 
the liability of its injuring the horse. When not in use, 




Fig. 177. — Light Driving Harness 



HARNESSING THE HORSE 



405 



it should be covered with a sheet and hung in a room con- 
structed especially for it, as dust, dampness and vermin 
tend to injure the leather and tarnish the fixtures. It is 
very important that the bearing parts be kept scrupu- 
lously clean at all times. This applies especially to the 
parts in constant contact with the horse, as the collar, 




FIG. 178.— HARNESS REPAIR KIT 



saddle, crupper, and the like. It is not possible to pre- 
vent sores if these parts are permitted to become dirty, 
which they will, because of the sweat and dandruff. The 
collar, saddle and crupper should be thoroughly cleaned 
each morning before harnessing. 

The entire harness should be oiled frequently. The 
simplest way to do this, especially with work harness, is 
to take it apart and soak the parts for fifteen minutes in 
a tub of lukewarm water containing a handful of wash- 



406 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

ing soda. Then scrub the parts with a scrub brush, and 
when dry oil with neatsfoot oil to which a small amount 
of kerosene and a little lampblack have been added. Now 
hang up to dry, exercising care not to dry in the sun or 
by the fire. When thoroughly dry sponge with castile 
soap and buckle the parts together. Common harness 
treated in this way will neither turn red nor become 
gummy, and if often sponged with white castile soap, can 
be kept looking like new. 

Repairing harness. — Where many work horses are kept 
a harness repair kit should be available. It is convenient 
as well as economical to be prepared to mend harness 
whenever needed, as it often saves delay in sending to the 
shop. To make simple repairs is not difficult, and a 
repair kit is inexpensive. We should provide a wood 
clamp for holding the leather while stitching, gauge knife 
to cut new straps, four-tube punch, a paper of needles, 
ball of thread, ball of wax, three different size awls, 
collar awl, rivet set, box of assorted rivets, and a pair 
of pliers. Such a kit can be obtained for approximately 
five dollars, and with it one can keep his harness in the 
best of repair at a very small cost. (Fig. 178.) 



CHAPTER XL 
THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 

The planning and construction of all buildings on the 
farm should receive careful consideration. They should 
be adapted to the environment. Features of the natural 
landscape give character to the homestead. It is a com- 
mon error to give little thought to the placing of build- 
ings, either in relation to each other or to the surround- 
ing conditions. There are many fine homes that owe 
their beauty and much of their value to the arrangement 
of the buildings, lawns, gardens and fields. 

The horse barn, in common with the other buildings, 
should be planned to meet the attendant conditions. No 
one type of building is of universal suitability. The farm 
barn must fit the farm and the needs of the farmer, while 
the city barn must be planned to meet the individual con- 
ditions. On the average farm there is but one barn, which 
must house all the animals, with the possible exception of 
swine and poultry. Because of the variety of conditions 
under which horse barns are planned no attempt is made 
to suggest a type, and only a few of the more important 
essentials, which apply in the construction of all build- 
ings where horses are housed, are considered. 

Essentials in location and construction. — The horse 
barn should occupy a subordinate location in relation to 
the house. It should occupy a position so that the pre- 
vailing winds will not carry the stable odors toward the 
house. The exact position and arrangement of the out- 
buildings and inclosures will vary according to use, and 
to be convenient should be few and compact, rather than 
scattered over a large area. 

Drainage. — In choosing a location for the horse barn 
consideration should be given the natural drainage. This 

407 




408 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 4O9 

is often overlooked and many barns are so situated that 
it is practically impossible to drain the soil sufficiently to 
prevent muddy lots with all attendant disadvantages. 
Choose a slightly elevated location if possible, so that the 
water naturally will drain away in all directions. Dryish, 
sandy soil is preferred, as the water drains out readily and 
there is no trouble from mud about the barn. Through- 
out much of the country, however, the best that can be 
done is to locate the barn on slightly sloping land, which 
should be well underdrained before the barn is con- 
structed. Any protection against prevailing north and 
west winds in the winter season, such as hills, trees or 
any other natural objects in the track of the regular 
storm, should be made use of, but cool and refreshing 
winds should not be hindered in their direction during the 
summer. 

Ventilation. — In the construction of the horse barn one 
of the most important considerations is thorough ventila- 
tion. It is essential that the hard-working horse be sup- 
plied with an abundance of fresh air while he is resting. 
Not only does a damp and poorly ventilated stable lessen 
his efficiency, but it also increases the liability to disease. 
It is comparatively easy to ventilate the horse stable, as 
the horse does not suffer from the cold so much as some 
other farm animals. If the introduction of an abundance 
of fresh air should lower the temperature to the freezing 
point no harm will be done, providing the air is admitted 
at many small openings. Large and few openings, how- 
ever, tend to produce strong and dangerous drafts. There 
are a number of methods by which the horse barn may be 
ventilated, chief of which are the windows, grates and 
ventilating shafts. 

In ventilating tightly ceiled barns, shafts are preferred. 
While there are many methods of arranging these ven- 
tilating shafts, they consist essentially of two parts, the 
inlets and the outlets. The inlets should be numerous, 
of small size, and placed on all four sides of the stable in 



410 ' MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

order to take advantage of the wind, regardless of the 
direction from which it blows. In this way a large quan- 
tity of air is admitted and evenly distributed throughout 
the stable. A convenient size for these inlets is 4 x 12 
inches, as this permits them to be built between two four- 
inch studding. They should begin near the ground on 
the outside and end near the ceiling on the inside. 

The outlets must be so constructed as to meet three 
conditions : First, they should remove the stable air from 
near the stable floor. The refuse gases are heavier than 
the other air of the stable and remain near the floor, as 
does the colder air. Second, they should be provided with 
openings near the ceiling, which can be closed at will, for 
the removal of the warm air when the stable becomes too 
warm, particularly in the summer. Third, it is important 
that these ventilators be so arranged as to afford as little 
inconvenience as possible, particularly when they extend 
through the hay loft, where they are sometimes in the 
way of the hay fork. These outlets should be as large 
as convenient. The essentials of a good ventilating flue 
are similar to a good chimney. 

Ventilating shafts are expensive, particularly if con- 
structed so as to work properly, for which reason 
windows are more commonly used for ventilating the 
horse barn. The windows can be so arranged as to form 
a good system of ventilation. When so used they should 
be hinged near the center, allowing the top to open in- 
ward. This is important, for if the bottoms open into 
the stable, the windows are likely to be broken by the 
animals running against them. By opening windows so 
arranged a good circulation of air is provided. (Fig. 180.) 

Light. — Sunlight is nature's disinfectant. With suf- 
ficient light and proper ventilation, germ disease is not 
likely to occur. Window glass is inexpensive and should 
be abundantly supplied in the construction of the barn. 
Best results are obtained by cutting the windows long 
from top to bottom and by having them extend low, as 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 



411 



more direct sunlight will fall on the floor. This is the 
chief objection to underground or bank barns for horses. 
Bank barns are usually dark and damp, and, therefore, 
objectionable as horse stables. True, windows increase 
the temperature in the daytime and serve to radiate heat 
at night, but this is not so important as an abundance of 
light, particularly for horses. Further, light shows dirt 




FIG. 180.— CROSS SECTION THROUGH HORSE BARN 



Showing partition, manger, concrete floor, covered with plank, and the arrangement 

of windows. 

and makes it easy to keep the barn clean. Dark stables 
are likely to be dusty, dirty and damp, thus providing con- 
ditions for germ growth. In addition to cleanliness, free- 
dom from germ disease, and the like, a barn into which 
the sun shines freely furnishes a cheerful place in which 
to work. 

Cleanliness. — In the planning of a horse barn, it should 
be so arranged as to facilitate ease of cleaning. Horse 
manure being damp and warm decomposes rapidly and 
the gases thus formed contaminate the stable. In sum- 
mer this decomposing manure Is a favorite breeding place 



412 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

for flies. Therefore, the stables should be cleaned fre- 
quently and a liberal supply of absorbent bedding should 
be provided to take up the liquids voided. The mangers 
should be kept clean at all times. They must receive 
special attention in case corn on the cob is fed, otherwise 
the cobs will accumulate in the bottom of the mangers, 
where they form a fertile media for the propagation of 
germs of all kinds. The ceiling and walls should be 
cleaned frequently with a cobweb broom to prevent ex- 
cessive dust and filth accumulation. It is a good plan to 
have the stable fixtures, walls and ceiling of a light color, 
as this facilitates both cleaning and lighting. 

Convenience. — In the planning and construction of a 
horse barn due regard should be had for convenience, not 
only in respect to cleaning the stable and in feeding, but 
for all other farm work as well. As a rule, the barn is 
more convenient to the farm when centrally located, but 
more convenient to the market when located near the 
highway. In this respect, therefore, the location would 
depend on the type of farming. Thus if most of the 
produce was to be sold it would be more convenient near 
the highway, whereas if the major part of the crops were 
to be fed it would be more convenient near the center of 
the farm, as both the crops produced and the resulting 
manure are nearer the place where needed, thus lessening 
team work. 

As a rule, the horse barn should be planned to hold 
sufficient food for the animals housed therein. An 
abundance of loft space can be secured at little additional 
expense. The barn should be arranged so as to feed the 
horses with the minimum amount of labor. This can be 
accomplished more satisfactorily by arranging two rows 
of stalls, standing the animals with their heads toward the 
center. A six to eight-foot feeding alley should be ar- 
ranged through the center and a four to seven-foot lead 
alley behind the horses along the wall. Such alleys will 
give ample room for the feed and litter carriers and pro- 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 4I3 

vide sufficient space for the harness closets, behind the 
horses along the wall. Immense barns, however, in 
which large quantities of grain and hay are stored, and 
many animals housed may have other objections which 
offset the advantages of concentration and ease of feed- 
ing. The risk of total destruction by fire is great, as are 
dangers from contagious disease, and the like. Under 
such conditions perhaps a number of medium-sized, well- 
regulated barns, located some distance from each other, 
would prove more economical in the long run. 

Box and straight stalls. — There are two types of stalls 
in common use, the box stall and the straight stall. In 
planning and constructing horse stalls there are a number 
of factors to be taken into consideration, chief of which 
are the comfort and safety of the horse ; the economy of 
barn space; the economy of labor in feeding, cleaning, 
and the like ; the economy of material in the construction 
of the stall ; and facilities for lighting and ventilation. 
The comfort and safety of the animal is promoted by the 
use of the box stall. He has more freedom and can as- 
sume any position, lying down and getting up with ease. 
The economy of barn space is favored by the straight 
stall. The box stall must be at least 10 x 12 feet square, 
while the straight stall need not be over five feet wide and 
nine feet long. 

The economy of labor is promoted by the straight stall. 
Not only is the box stall more difficult to keep clean, but 
the animal requires more grooming to keep him in pre- 
sentable condition. The feeding and bedding can be 
more easily accomplished in the straight stall. The 
straight stall also favors economy in material, as the par- 
titions need not be so high as in the box stall. While 
box stalls are very comfortable for the horse, yet they 
are rather difficult to ventilate properly and hinder the 
general lighting of the barn, particularly in case they are 
boarded up solid to the ceiling. All things considered, 
the straight stall is preferable for working horses, al- 



414 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



though every horse barn should be provided with a few 
well-lighted and well-ventilated box stalls, as they are 
indispensable for brood mares, colts and sick animals. 

At present it seems to be fashionable to construct low, 
open stall partitions. This is a serious mistake, as the 
animals frequently injure themselves by kicking, which 
the open partition encourages. Occasionally, an animal 
kicks over the top of the low partition and injures him- 
self permanently, as he is unable to free himself. Stall 




FIG. 181.— TROTTING-HORSE BARN WITH TRACK IN THE FOREGROUND 



partitions between straight stalls should be boarded up 
solid for at least five feet. 

Mangers and grain boxes. — The hay should be fed from 
a manger. The hay rack is objectionable, as the horse 
pulls the hay out and drops much of it under his feet. 
The seed and dirt get into his mane, which is difficult to 
keep clean. The top of the manger should be about three 
feet high. The bottom should be slightly raised from the 
floor and should be so constructed that the dirt may sift 
through, thus preventing its collecting in the bottom of 
the manger. The manger should slope inward, to pre- 
vent the horse from injuring his knees when stamping 
flies. The hay should neither be thrown from the mow 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 415 

into the manger nor directly in front of the horse, but into 
a small room separated by a door from the stable. Neither 
should the bedding be thrown down in such a manner as 
to cover the horses and harness with dust. 

The grain should be fed from a grain box with a level, 
broad bottom. Some horses eat their grain too rapidly 
and a large flat-bottomed box tends to make them eat 
slowly, and hence to insalivate their food. Metal boxes 
are preferred to wood, but are too expensive for common 
use. 

The stable fittings, mangers, grain boxes and stall par- 
titions should be constructed of hard wood. Horses love 
to gnaw pine, and once they get into the habit, no matter 
what the original cause, they are hard to stop. Further, 
if the partitions and posts are of soft wood, the horses will 
splinter them by kicking so that they are very unsightly 
as well as lacking in endurance. Even if the fixtures are 
of hard wood it may be necessary to cover them with 
strap iron to prevent the horse from gnawing and splin- 
tering them by kicking, when feeling good, as in the 
winter. (Fig. i8o.) 

Harness room or closets. — In constructing a horse barn 
special provision should be made for the care of harness. 
Usually the harness is hung just back of the horse in the 
stable. This is very objectionable, as gases escaping 
from the manure are very destructive to harness, and it 
frequently happens that the harness is knocked down 
under the animal's feet and becomes soiled with manure. 
To avoid this a harness room convenient to the horses 
should be provided. If there are a great number of 
horses housed in the barn it is perhaps more convenient 
to arrange harness closets just back of the horse along the 
wall and between the windows. A well-kept harness 
room or closets is a source of comfort to the owner and 
increases the usefulness of the harness. 

Flooring materials. — The stable floor should be dur- 
able, waterproof '-And cheap. It should be so constructed 
that the horse will not slip and injure himself in getting 



4l6 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Up. Many materials are used in the construction of stable 
floor, such as clay, brick, cobblestone and cement, al- 
though the latter are rather hard on the feet. For box 
stalls perhaps no other material excels clay, as it is good 
for the feet. For straight stalls perhaps no other ma- 
terial excels cement, covered with plank in the stall where 
the horse stands. The cement floor is durable, sanitary 
and inexpensive. If given a rough finish the horse will 
not slip, although if heavy loads are to be drawn over the 
floor, the cement should be creased before it sets. The 
cement in the wagon room and lead alleys should be six 
inches thick, although in the stalls, where it is covered 
with plank, a depth of four inches is suflicient. The floor 
of the straight stall should slope to the rear at least one 
inch in eight feet, so that the liquid excrement will drain 
off quickly. It is a good plan to leave a very shallow but 
broad gutter just to the rear, along the ends of the plank, 
to catch this liquid. A very shallow gutter one-half inch 
deep and six inches broad gives good results. From this 
shallow gutter the liquid can be absorbed by straw, 
shavings or any bedding material. It is a good plan to 
sprinkle daily a little dry earth or gypsum on the floor 
of the stable where it is damp. (Fig. i8o.) 

Construction of the walls. — Since the horse does not 
suffer from a moderately low temperature, it is a com- 
paratively simple matter to construct a horse barn, es- 
pecially when compared with that of the dairy cow. The 
walls should not be airtight, as the moisture condenses 
rapidly and the stable becomes damp and cold. For sid- 
ing the horse barn, unmatched boards planed on one side 
are preferred. The boards should be placed vertically 
and the cracks properly battened. If harness closets are 
constructed along the wall and between the windows as 
suggested, it will be necessary only to ceil under and 
above the windows. This inside covering should consist 
also of unmatched boards. The outside covering should 
be given a thorough painting every three years, while the 



THE PRACTICAL HORSE BARN 



417 



inside should be whitewashed once every year, as this 
serves to promote lighting and sanitation. 

Roofing materials. — There are a great variety of roof- 
ing materials on the market, many of w^hich are scarcely 
worth the time required to put them on, notwithstanding 
the fact that they are easily laid. While there is no roof- 
ing more durable or 
satisfactory than 
slate and tile, yet 
they are heavy and 
require strong raft- 
ers. All things con- 
sidered, perhaps a 
good shingle roof is 
best. Soaking 
wooden shingles for 
a moment in boiling 
linseed oil adds to 
their durability. A 
trifle of red color 
added to the oil, just 
enough to stain, im- 
proves the appear- 
ance of the roof. Dip 
the shingles in large 
handfuls to the tips, 
lay them on a piece 
of sheet iron and let 
them drain back into 

the kettle. For shingles the roof should be fairly steep. 
Dipped shingles on a steep roof will last a lifetime. Metal, 
rubber and paper are often used for roofing barns, but, as 
a rule, give poor satisfaction. 

Labor-saving appliances. — In constructing a barn it is 
important to install all of the adaptable labor-saving ap- 
pliances available. The framework and the rafters should 
be of sufficient strength to carry a hay fork to facilitate 
mowing the hay. In large barns the alley ways should be 




Fig. 182. — Litter Carrier in Use 



4l8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

of sufficient width to permit the use of both feed and 
litter carriers. While these carriers may be of little ad- 
vantage in small barns, they are practically indispensable 
in large ones. Grain, hay and straw chutes should be 
arranged wherever they can be used to advantage. To 
facilitate watering the horse there are several watering 
devices upon the market, some of which are so arranged 
that there is a constant supply of water before the animal 
at all times. When these vessels can be kept clean and 
free from odor the practice seems a good one. In many 
instances, however, these watering devices are traps of 
filth and foul-smelling water. Perhaps a better plan is 
to use large troughs that can be cleaned frequently. 

Care of manures. — The voidings, including the neces- 
sary bedding, will reach six to eight tons per horse per 
year. On the basis of the fertilizing ingredients this 
manure is worth from $io to $20 a year. It is, therefore, 
of importance that the manure from the horse stable be 
carefully husbanded. If convenient, a separate small 
building should be constructed for temporary storage. 
If horse manure is unmixed with that of cows, it should 
be thoroughly wet from time to time. Some salt may be 
used on the manure, a quart to a load. This will retard 
heating and discourage the flies from breeding in the 
manure. If convenient, swine may be allowed to roam 
over the manure, as this aids in solidifying it and the 
swine will find some food in the voidings. 

Paddocks for breeding stock. — In planning the horse 
barn a few paddocks, or still better, small fields should be 
provided for near the barn. These lots should be of 
sufficient size to allow some pasturage. As a rule, these 
paddocks are so small that the grass is destroyed by the 
tramping of the animals. A few small grassy paddocks 
near the barn are very convenient in separating pregnant 
mares or foals and dams from other horse stock. Such 
paddocks afford ideal runs for young foals while the dams 
are at work» 



CHAPTER XLI 
COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 

When properly cared for the horse is the most health- 
ful of our farm animals. He is thought to be a native of 
the north and can endure adverse conditions so long as 
given his freedom. His troubles begin, however, w^hen 
he is closely confined, improperly fed or v^atered, and 
overworked. Under such conditions the horse is subject 
to a very large number of ailments, some of which are 
simple and easily cared for, more of which are compli- 
cated and require skilled treatment. This chapter simply 
directs attention to the more common ones and how to 
avoid them rather than to suggest treatment. Everyone 
who owns a horse should know how to care for the 
simpler difficulties, and when to call for the advice of a 
veterinarian. 

Nursing a sick horse. — The sick horse should receive 
careful attention. In many of the lesser ailments good 
care is preferred to the use of medicine, while in many 
others rest is preferred to both. Thus, in the case of the 
horse that is run down in flesh, appetite gone, and other- 
wise out of condition, comparative idleness is essential. 
Under such conditions there is nothing better than a good 
blue grass pasture, well watered and well shaded, es- 
pecially in the early summer, before the flies become 
troublesome. The aim is to hasten recovery from the ill 
effects of the ailments. To do this we must understand 
the horse thoroughly and be able to supply his every 
need. This calls for careful, painstaking and patient 
effort. First of all look for the cause of the trouble, and, 
if possible, remove it. If the disease is contagious, the 
sick horse should be separated from the others and placed 
in well-ventilated and comfortable quarters, 

419 



420 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

Feeding the sick horse. — As the appetite is usually poor 
and sometimes lacking, much care should be exercised in 
feeding the sick horse. The food should be attractive, 
nutritious and readily digestibleo It should not contain 
much bulk and should be rather laxative. Natural foods, 
such as fresh grass, carrots and v^arm bran mash, are to 
be preferred to prepared foods, though the use of patent 
stock food may prove beneficial when a tonic is valuable. 




FIG. 183.— HACKNEY BROOD MARES 

In case the animal refuses the food it should be removed 
from sight, and under no condition left in the feed box 
until the next meal. Do not place medicine in either the 
food or v\^ater if it can possibly be prevented, as the horse 
is likely to refuse the food just at a time when it is im- 
portant that he should have it. 

Giving medicine. — Medicine should be given only for a 
definite purpose, otherwise more ill will result than good. 
As a rule, too much medicine is given the sick horse. 
Nature should be given a chance. Medicine of itself is 
worth little except as it gives the system tone, thereby 
enabling it to overcome the disease. If a horse is out of 
condition the remedies administered should be those of 
known value and proven worth. While there are many 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 42I 

methods of giving medicine, the more common and sim- 
ple are by drenching, external application, enemas or 
injections into the rectum, blistering and firing. 

Drenching, — Dissolve the medicine in water, using just 
enough water to thoroughly dissolve the medicine, as 
more makes the drench bulky. Shake the drench immedi- 
ately before administering. Slightly elevate the horse's 
head and gradually pour the drench into the corner of his 
mouth. To prevent him from strangling give him the 
freedom of his head a few times while administering the 
drench, and do not elevate the head too high. 

External applications. — Medicine is frequently given 
by applying it to the skin in the form of baths, liniments, 
ointments, salves, poultices, and the like. Bathing the 
parts in hot or cold water often proves very beneficial. 
It is much used and with good results in lessening pain, 
inflammation and swelling in recent injuries. Liniment 
is a thin, liquid solution of a medicinal substance, and is 
used to relieve pain and inflammation as well as to pro- 
duce local stimulation. It should never be applied to 
fresh wounds or sores. Ointment is a waxy material 
consisting of medicines mixed with fats, and is used to 
soften, soothe and heal inflamed parts. A poultice is a 
soft, moist substance used to soften, soothe and relieve 
severe inflammation. It should be changed frequently. 
There are many substances used in making poultices, 
chief of which are flaxseed meal, bran, bread and milk, 
and mashed boiled turnips. Whatever the substance, it 
should be clean, soft and capable of retaining heat and 
moisture. To keep it clean and sweet, add a teaspoonful 
of carbolic acid to a quart of poultice. 

Blisters. — These are counter-irritants to be used in 
chronic or long-continued ailments. There are two kinds 
in common use, the "fly blister," made from cantharides, 
and the "red blister," made from biniodide of mercury. 
Both are poisonous, and their application requires skill 
and experience. They are made by mixing one part by 



422 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

weight of the drug to eight parts of lard or vaseline. For 
most uses the fly is preferred, but in removing bunches 
the red is most used. First clip the hair from the area, 
then rub on blister from three to ten minutes, depending 
on severeness of irritation and the thickness of the skin. 
A light blister repeated is preferred to a severe one. Care 
should be taken to see that the horse does not scratch 
the blister. After 24 to 36 hours, or when a watery, 
gummy fluid exudes from the skin, the area should be 
thoroughly washed with warm water and soap, then 
wiped dry and greased with fresh lard or vaseline. When 
large areas are to be blistered, as in pleurisy, inflamma- 
tion of the lungs, and the like, a mustard plaster should 
be used, as fly blisters irritate the kidneys. 

Firing. — This is also a counter-irritant, useful in re- 
moving bunches, ringbones, spavins, and the like. The 
application requires skill and experience. The hair is 
clipped from the area, the horse blinded, a twitch applied 
to the nose, and the opposite foot lifted, and then the hot 
irons are applied to the area. At first the skin is barely 
touched and the lines marked and then the lines are 
burned to a good russet brown. A fly blister is then 
rubbed on the fired area and the case treated as for blis- 
tering. The horse should be given plenty of time to 
recover. 

Enemas or injections. — Medicine is often given by in- 
jections into the rectum when it cannot be given by the 
mouth, and when it is desired to stimulate the bowels to 
action. Food may also be given in this way. Injections 
are best given by means of a rubber hose about four feet 
long, to which a funnel is attached. Oil the hose and 
gently insert it into the rectum about two feet, then pour 
the liquid into the funnel and by raising it above the 
horse the liquid will force itself into the bowels. Six to 
eight quarts of warm water is sufficient for the 
adult horse, and if to this is added a half teacupful 
of pure glycerine, much better results will be obtained, 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 423 

Indigestion. — This is one of the most common ailments 
of the horse. It is brought about by feeding indigestible 
food, improper feeding, hard work immediately after feed- 
ing or watering, and any cause that profoundly disturbs 
the system. It may occur in either mild or acute form. 
In mild attacks the animal refuses his food, lies down and 





-■,:?,,-, -^ ""-■ 




"'r 


%n 




i^' 






^^^^^^H 


m 




'^—:' 




% 




-.L*^ 


-;X^^^ 


-M^ 





FIG. 184.— SHIRE MARE "WYDERLANDS SUNSHINE" 

immediately gets up, looks toward his flanks, and often 
paws the ground. In such cases but little treatment is 
necessary. Feed a light laxative diet such as bran mash 
and fresh grass, and allow the digestive system to rest 
a few days. Two-ounce dose of Jamaica ginger in a pint 
of moderately hot water, given as a drench three times 
daily, is excellent. 

In acute cases the causes and symptoms are similar, 
but the pain more severe. The horse may stand 
stretched out and strain, as if trying to pass urine, then 
lie down and get up, look at the flanks and paw as before. 
The care and treatment is the same as in mild cases, 



424 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

except that the ginger drench may be repeated every 
three hours. 

Colic. — This term is loosely applied to almost all diges- 
tive troubles that are accompanied by pain. There are 
two forms, spasmodic or cramp colic, and flatulent or 
wind colic. Cramp colic is a violent and painful con- 
traction of the muscular coats of the bowels. It is caused 
by some irritant in the intestines, such as undigested food, 
large amounts of cold water when the horse is tired or 
warm, sudden changes in the food, and like causes. The 
pain is severe and often comes on suddenly, the animal 
sweats and the respiration and pulse increase rapidly. 
He looks toward his flanks, stretches and strains, paws, 
kicks his belly, throws himself down, and rolls. Soon the 
pain passes, only to return in a few minutes. 

Get the horse into a comfortable place where he can roll 
without injury. Inject into the rectum eight quarts of 
warm water, containing half a teacupful of glycerine. This 
should be done slowly, so as to allow the horse to retain 
it as long as possible. Drench with two-ounce doses of 
Jamaica ginger. Sweet spirits of niter in ounce doses is 
good, as is a tablespoonful of common baking soda. 
Blankets wrung out of hot water and applied to the belly 
relieve the pain, as does also rubbing the belly vigorously. 
In wind colic the causes and symptoms are the same, 
except that the pain comes on more gradually and is con- 
tinuous. There is an accumulation of gas, resulting from 
the fermenting food. The treatment is much the same 
as suggested in cramp colic. 

In all bowel trouble the cause is usually due to an irri- 
tant, which should be located and removed. It is usually 
a good plan to give a physic. For this purpose a quart 
of raw linseed oil is best, but should be given with great 
care, as there is danger in choking the horse. The giving 
of oil requires skill and experience. 

Worms. — Horses of all ages are more or less subject to 
troubles caused by intestinal worms, especially when thin 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 425 

in flesh and otherwise out of condition. Thus the horse 
that is liable to attack should be kept in a vigorous and 
thrifty condition. In many cases affected horses that 
are given a good variety and an abundance of nutritious, 
laxative food, with some tonic, recover their normal con- 
dition. Turpentine in two-ounce doses, is an excellent 
remedy. The turpentine should always be well diluted, 
either with milk, olive oil or raw linseed, so that it will 
not blister the mouth or throat. These doses should be 
given once daily for two or three days, and followed by a 
good physic, as a quart of linseed oil, which should be 
given with care. 

Azoturia. — This is an ailment resulting from high feed- 
ing and lack of exercise. It is known by a variety of 
names, as lumbago, black water and holiday disease, so 
called because of its occurrence after the horse has stood 
idle a day or longer without usual work or exercise. It 
often comes on quickly, attacking the horse after travel- 
ing only a short distance. He becomes stiff, particularly 
in the hindquarters, and sweats profusely. The muscles 
tremble, the hind parts become difficult to control and the 
animal goes down and is often unable to rise again. The 
treatment in mild cases is a laxative and daily exercise. 
In sudden attacks friction of the limbs is good. Blankets 
wrung from hot water and placed over the loins and hips 
assist the circulation. Rubbing the affected muscles with 
iodine often relieves the tension. Purgatives are also of 
value. The horse should have free access to water. 

Distemper. — This ailment is known by a variety of 
names, chief of which are strangles, colt ill, catarrhal fever 
and shipping fever. It appears as a fever lasting a few 
days, with formation of matter or pus in the air tubes, 
and often the formation of abscesses under the jaw. At 
the end of a couple of days a cough is heard and the dis- 
charge comes from the nostrils. The disease passes from 
one animal to another, and there are few that escape it 
when once exposed. Light cases require little treatment 



426 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

beyond proper protection from damp and cold, and the 
feeding of nutritious, easily digested food, such as bran 
mash and fresh grass. If more serious a simple way of 
reducing the temperature is to inject cold water into the 
rectum. To ease the cough and allay the inflammation 
of the mucous membrane, place a blanket over the head, 
and steam with the vapor of warm water poured over a 
bucket of bran and hay in which belladonna, camphor 
gum or tar has been placed. If the bowels are con- 
stipated give an injection of warm water and glycerine. 
If an abscess forms, poultice with warm linseed, changing 
daily, and after the abscess breaks wash with three per 
cent solution of carbolic acid. 

Influenza. — This disease is known by a variety of names, 
such as pink eye, bilious fever, grippe, and the like. It 
appears as a rapidly developing fever, which becomes in- 
tense within a very short period. The horse seems 
greatly depressed, standing with his head down, but not 
back on the halter, as in lung disease. There is sneezing 
and a troublesome cough. The mucous membranes of the 
eyes are very frequently enlarged and inflamed, giving rise 
to the name pink eye. The disease passes rapidly from one 
horse to another, although one attack often protects the 
animal from another, but not always. 

The treatment is to give rest, provide well-ventilated, 
well-lighted and comfortable quarters and feed easily 
digested and nutritious foods, such as bran mash, good 
oats, clean hay, roots and fresh grass in season. The 
horse must have protection and warmth or complications 
will develop. To reduce the fever inject cold water as 
suggested in distemper. To ease the cough and allay 
the inflammation of the mucous membrane, steam the 
head, as suggested in distemper, using a piece of camphor 
gum about the size of a walnut, and holding the horse's 
head over the pail for fifteen minutes at least three times 
daily. If the bowels are constipated give an injection of 
warm water and glycerine. If the throat is sore, rub on 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 427 

a little mustard once a day for a few days. Care must 
be taken to avoid complications. 

Sweeney shoulder. — This is a rapid wasting away of 
the muscles on the outside of the shoulder blade. While 
occasionally seen in horses of any age, it is more common 
in young animals. It is caused by straining, severe pull- 
ing and jerking movements, such as in plowing stony 
land. Idle horses when put to work are most subject to 
the ailment. The nerves or blood vessels of the affected 
part seem to be injured by the pressure of the collar. 
The treatment is to remove the cause and give the horse 
rest. The skin over the aflected muscles should be 
loosened from the tissue beneath by manipulation. Rub 
the skin and muscles. Later, apply a mild liniment and 
failing in this try a mild blister. At least two months 
should be allowed for a cornplete recovery. In case there 
is a wasting of the muscles of the shoulder, with severe 
lameness, the cause should be sought in the foot. When 
the cause of the lameness is located and removed the 
muscles will resume their normal condition. 

Sore shoulder and neck. — Hard-working horses are fre- 
quently troubled with sore shoulders and neck. This is 
largely due to poorly fitting collars and certain kinds of 
work especially when the load borne by the neck is great. 
The treatment is to remove the cause. If nothing else 
is at hand wash the parts with cold salt water and when 
dry dust with finely pulverized, air-slaked lime. Oxide 
of zinc ointment is good. This is made by mixing one 
ounce of oxide of zinc with four ounces of benzoated lard. 
If the parts become callused, apply a dull red blister, 
which will absorb the callus. It will be necessary to rest 
the horse while applying the blister. 

Foul sheath in geldings. — This is an accumulation of 
material from the glands of the sheath which often hin- 
ders the free passage of urine. The sheath may become 
stopped up and the retained urine increase the trouble. 
In such cases the sheath should be well cleaned with 



428 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

warm water and soap and then greased with fresh lard 
or vaseline. 

Mud fever. — This is an inflammation of the skin of the 
legs. It is caused by the irritation of mud and water in 





FIG. 185.— NATURAL PRESENTATION OF YOUNG 

the spring of the year. In geldings it is often caused by 
spattering urine against the fore legs. The treatment is 
to keep the parts clean. Clip the hair, cleanse the parts 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE HORSE 429 

by washing with warm water and tar soap, wipe dry, and 
then rub with vaseline. 

Scratches. — This is an inflammation of the skin in the 
region of the heel, and is commonly called ''grease heel." 
It is due to mud and filth, and is more common on the 
hind legs because of the exposure to the manure. The 
treatment is to cleanse the parts by clipping the hair and 
bathing in warm water and tar soap. Then apply a warm 
poultice of scalded bran or linseed meal, changing 
twice in 24 hours. After the scabs are removed, thor- 
oughly cleanse the parts, wipe dry, and apply an antisep- 
tic, as boric acid, dusting into the sores and then cover 
with some oily dressing, as vaseline. 

Cracked hoofs. — These are of common occurrence in 
the horse. They may be due to severe work, to dry weak 
hoofs, and to injuries at the hoof head. When the cracks 
extend from the top of the hoof they may cause severe 
lameness. The treatment is to cleanse the crack, wash- 
ing with a five per cent solution of carbolic acid. The 
crack should be drawn together with shoe nails or clips 
made especially for the purpose. Keep the hoof clean 
and well oiled. 

Difficult parturition. — Occasionally the mare experi- 
ences difficulty at parturition time. If presentation is 
abnormal the fetal membranes may be disconnected and 
result in injury to the young. If the mare is in trouble 
and examination shows the young to be in any other 
position than natural at once call for the advice of a 
veterinarian. (Fig. 185.) 



CHAPTER XLII 
STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

While the American horse breeders have produced the 
fastest trotting and pacing horses in the world, little 
progress has been made in the draft horse breeding in- 
dustry. This lack of progress is due, in part at least, to 
the indifference of breeders in choosing stallions for 
service, preferring to take their mares to a grade stallion, 
rather than pay a little higher service fee, or go a 
greater distance in order to secure the service of a pure- 
bred stallion of merit. The necessity of some move that 
v^ill bring about an improvement in the quality of the 
horses raised on our farms has been realized for some 
time. Without doubt, France and Belgium, the leading 
draft horse producing countries of Europe, ov^e their 
reputation to the government regulation of stallions 
offered for public service. This served as a stimulation, 
and in recent years many of our ov^n states have enacted 
law^s regulating the public service of stallions and jacks, 
with the hope of raising the general standard of the horse 
and mule-breeding industry. 

State stallion laws. — The first state law to regulate the 
standing of stallions and jacks for public service was that 
of Wisconsin, which went into effect January, 1906. 
Since then many other states have enacted similar laws. 
Although each of these laws varies more or less in detail, 
they have for their chief aims, first, the barring of all 
stallions and jacks from standing for public service which 
are affected with any unsoundness or infectious disease ; 
and, second, the providing of a means whereby the public 
may be able to know for a certainty whether the animals 
are pure bred or grades. It is claimed that such regula- 
tions serve as a protection to many, as the average 

430 



STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 43 1 

breeder is unable to recognize all the unsoundnesses and 
infectious diseases, or to obtain accurate information con- 
cerning the breeding of a stallion or jack, unless he has 
had considerable experience in horse and mule breeding. 

The chief points of difference in these laws as enacted 
are, first, the methods of inspecting stallions or jacks 
before being accepted for public service ; and, second, 
the manner in which they are disqualified from standing 
for public service. In some states, as Wisconsin, the owner 
must make oath before a notary public or other author- 
ized officer that the stallion or jack is, to the best of his 
knowledge, free from hereditary, contagious or trans- 
missible unsoundness and disease ; while in other states, 
as New Jersey, the stallion or jack must be examined by 
a qualified veterinarian appointed by the stallion regis- 
tration board in charge of the work. In some states, as 
Wisconsin, stallions or jacks affected with certain un- 
soundnesses and diseases are disqualified from public 
service ; while in other states, as Kansas, no stallion or 
jack is barred from public service, but they must be ad- 
vertised for just what they are, whether pure bred, grade 
or cross bred, and whether sound or otherwise. In some 
states, as Nebraska, stallions and jacks are divided into 
three classes, pure bred, cross bred and grade ; while in 
other states, as Wisconsin, they are divided into a num- 
ber of classes, as pure bred, cross bred, grade, non- 
standard bred, and mongrel or scrub. 

Soundness as a qualification. — There is a rather strong 
feeling among stallion registration board officials that 
stallions and jacks should not be disqualified from public 
service because of unsoundness alone, particularly when 
the animal in question is known to be a good sire. Per- 
haps conformation is as important as soundness. In 
many states any kind of a sound stallion or jack is quali- 
fied for public service, even though of notably poor con- 
formation and of unknown breeding. It is difficult to 
convince the average farmer that a stallion possessed of 



432 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

the best breeding, and a sire of good colts, is unfit for 
service, due to the presence of a slight unsoundness, as 
defined by law, while a nearby stallion, being free from 
any of the unsoundnesses mentioned by law, possessing 
notable defects, as well as of unknown breeding and the 
sire of many undesirable colts, is worthy of public patron- 
age. Nevertheless, in many states stallions and jacks are 
disqualified from public service for certain unsoundnesses 




FIG. 186.— BELGIAN STALLION "FRANK BRISER" 

irrespective of the breeding and reputation as breeders. 

While the unsoundnesses that disqualify a stallion or 
jack from public service vary somewhat in the different 
states, yet many of them are similar to the Wisconsin law, 
which is as follows : 

Diseases that disqualify a stallion or jack from public 
service : 

''Cataract; amaurosis (glass eye) ; periodic ophthalmia 
(moon blindness). 



STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 



433 



"Laryngeal hemiplegia (roaring or whistling). 

'Tulmonary emphysema (heaves, broken wind). 

"Chorea (St. Vitus dance, crampiness, shivering, 
string halt). 

"Bone spavin ; ringbone ; sidebone ; navicular disease. 

"Bog spavin ; curb, with curby formation of hock. 

"Glanders, farcy; maladie du coit; urethral gleet; 
mange; melanosis." 

It is interesting to note the relative frequency of the 
various classes of unsoundness in draft and light horses. 
In Minnesota the common causes of disqualification for 
draft horses are sidebones, which are by far the more 
common, bone spavin, roaring, ringbone and cataract in 
the order named, while in light horses bone spavin, ring- 
bone and sidebone occurs in the order named. This is 
illustrated in the following table, which shows the cause 
for which stallions were disqualified from standing for 
public service in Minnesota:"^ 



Disqualification 



Draft horses 
4135 examined 
115 disqualified 



Light horses 
930 examined 
13 disqualified 



Pure- 
bred 



Grade 



Total 



Pure- 
bred 



Grade 



Total 



Sidebone. _ 

Bone spavin 

Roaring 

Ringbone 

Cataract 

Ophthalmia 

Curb 

Spavin and roaring 

Sidebone and roaring .... 
Sidebone and ring-bone . . 

Sidebone and spavin 

Spavin, ring-bone and curb 
Sidebone and Amaurosis . . 
Roaring and stringhalt . . . 



According to this table over 50% of the stallions dis- 
qualified from standing for public service in Minnesota 
are troubled with sidebones. 

* Bulletin No. 3. A Report of the Horse-Breeding Industry in Minnesota. 



434 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Breeding of stallions that qualify. — The number of 
horses of each breed that qualify for public service gives 
an idea of the relative importance of the various breeds. 
By choosing a few states at random the Percheron is seen 
to be the favorite draft horse. In the four states selected, 
namely, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and North 
Dakota, there were two and one-half times as many 
Percherons qualified for public service as all other draft 
breeds combined. There are approximately the same 
number of Belgians and Clydesdales as well as of Shires 
and French Draft horses. After the Percherons the next 
most popular breed is seen to be the Standardbred, which 
includes the American trotters and pacers. 



Number of Pure-Bred Horses That Qualified for Pub- 
lic Service the First Year the Regulations Went 
Into Effect in the States Mentioned, 



Breed 



Wisconsin 


Minnesota 


Pennsylvania 


North Dakota 


455 


568 


231 


614 


37 


63 


24 


61 


50 


110 


34 


62 


66 


65 


21 


93 


39 


41 


30 


53 


3 


2 





3 


10 


5 


23 


3 


54 


18 


19 


5 


39 


25 


23 


7 


4 


5 


3 











1 





275 


135 


211 


96 


3 





5 


1 


2 





5 





11 


10 


15 


2 








1 





2 


2 


2 




5 








6 



Percheron 

French Draft 

Belgian 

Clydesdale 

English Shire 

Suffolk Punch 

Hackney 

French Coach . . . . 
German Coach . . . 

Cleveland Bay 

Yorkshire 

Standardbred 

American Saddler. 
Thoroughbred . . . . 

Morgan 

Orloff 

Shetland . 

Jack 



National Association of Stallion Registration Boards.— 

As has been stated, there is more or less difference be- 
tween the stallion laws of the various states. The neces- 
sity of some move that would harmonize these laws has 
been realized almost from the beginning. Thus, in 
August, 1910, to meet this apparent necessity, an associa- 



STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 435 

tion was formed, to be known as the National Association of 
Stallion Registration Boards. The chief purpose of this 
association is to harmonize the efforts of the various 
state boards and to encourage the passing of similar laws 
in other states in order that the legislation may be more 
widespread. This association has adopted recommenda- 
tions embodying the essential principles to be observed 
in the adoption or amendment of state stallion laws, and 
the list of stud books to be recognized in determining a 
pure-bred animal (Table I of the Appendix). 

The result of state stallion laws. — "As a result of the 
public advertising of licensed stallions, required by the 
law, which has been in force in Wisconsin since January 
I, 1906, it may be safely asserted that owners of mares are 
more than ever before patronizing pure-bred stallions, 
while grade and mongrel or scrub stallions are becoming 
less popular. Progress in the improvement of our horses 
is, however, greatly retarded by the indifference of many 
owners of mares who persist in using grade and scrub 
sires for the insufficient reason that the service fees of 
such horses are comparatively cheap. Such practice is 
poor business policy. The cheap sire means cheap 
progeny and loss of profits at selling time. The higher 
fee of the pure-bred sire is returned tenfold or more 
when the colt is sold; or if retained for work, the colt 
proves of greater practical value than his base begot 
mongrel rival. It is deplorable, too, that year after year 
men persist in licensing grade and scrub stallions. It is 
noticeable, however, that most of the new licenses go to 
new owners. Presumably, these are not aware of the 
state-wide effort being made toward the improvement of 
our horses. They have still to be educated to under- 
stand that by offering a grade or scrub stallion for public 
service they are working against the best interests of 
their neighbors and retarding the progress of state horse 
breeding. Their work also invites criticism from inter- 
ested people throughout the country who are looking to 



436 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Wisconsin to quickly rid herself by education of the large 
number of undesirable stallions now patronized by many 
unthinking farmers."* 

The effect of the laws has been to increase the number 
of pure-bred stallions and jacks offered for public service. 
Few people realized that so large a proportion of the stal- 
lions and jacks standing for public service in this country 
were grades until figures were obtained as the result of 
the enforcement of the state stallion laws. Since it is dif- 
ficult for a grade to compete with a pure bred, when the 
fact is published, the grade sire is rapidly disappearing in 
those states where stallion laws are effective. This is 
clearly illustrated in the following table : 

Table Showing the Per Cent Increase of Pure and 

THE Per Cent Decrease of Grades for Wisconsin 

AND Pennsylvania Since the Stallion 

Laws Become Operative 





Wisconsin 


Pennsylvania 


Year 


Pure-bred 


Grade 


Pure-bred 


Grade 


1906. 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 


40% 
35% 
40% 

42% 
47% 
52% 
46% 


60% 

65% 
60% 

58% 
53% 
48% 
54% 


37%, 
38%, 
39% 
41% 


67% 
63% 
62%, 


1911 

1912 


61% 

59% 



Inspection and quarantine for horses, mules and asses, f 

— "All horses imported into the United States from any 
part of the world except North America shall be required 
to pass a veterinary inspection at the port of entry by an 
inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Such in- 
spector shall not allow the landing of any hay, straw, or 
forage which accompanies shipments of horses from any 



♦Circular No. 28. The University of Wisconsin, Agricultural Experiment Station. 
•tUnited States Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Animgl Industry. Order ISQ. 



STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 



437 



country on the continent of Europe until it has been disin- 
fected as the inspector may prescribe. In case the inspector 
finds horses affected with any contagious disease he shall 
isolate them and immediately report the fact to the chief 
of the Bureau of Animal Industry, who may refuse to 
allow the landing of horses so diseased. When horses 




FIG. 187.— ARABIAN STALLION "KHALED" 

imported from a country of Continental Europe from 
which hay is permitted, arrive in a healthy condition and 
no diseased condition is discoverable, the hay, straw and 
other forage from such country may remain on board 
the steamer and be returned. This forage may be used 
without disinfection in the feeding of animals exported 
on the same ship, provided it is accompanied by a certifi- 
cate issued by the proper government officer of such coun- 
try, as required by the regulations of this department for 
the importation of hay and straw from Continental 
Europe, and that there are no indications that it Is in- 



438 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 

fected ; but if the forage is found to be infected the fact 
must be reported to the chief of the Bureau of Animal 
Industry, who will direct the disposition to be made 
thereof." 

Canada. — ''Horses for breeding, racing, show and sale 
purposes, for grazing or for work, shall be inspected at 
the port of entry, and when so ordered by the chief of the 
Bureau of Animal Industry must be accompanied by a 
satisfactory certificate of mallein test signed by an official 
Canadian veterinarian or by an inspector of the Bureau 
of Animal Industry. Those belonging to Indian tribes 
and settlers or immigrants, and those used in connection 
with stock raising (cow ponies) or mining, and those for 
temporary stay at points along the frontier not exceeding 
two weeks, whether for pleasure, driving, or teaming, 
shall be required to pass a veterinary inspection at the 
port of entry by an inspector of the Bureau of Animal 
Industry; or they may be admitted without inspection 
upon written permission from the secretary of agriculture 
first had and obtained. Provided, however, that neither 
inspection by an inspector of the Bureau of Animal In- 
dustry nor written permission from the secretary of 
agriculture shall be required for Canadian horses for 
pleasure, driving, or teaming, whether driven or ridden 
into the United States for a temporary stay not to exceed 
three days. The same rule will apply to American horses 
returning to the United States from Canada after a stay 
in Canada not to exceed three days. Horses admitted in 
bond for export from the United States shall be subject to 
inspection at any point at which this department has 
inspectors stationed.** 

Mexico. — "All horses infested with ticks are prohibited 
from entering the United States from the Republic of 
Mexico, when destined to an area in the United States 
from which cattle are excluded by the federal, state, or 
territorial authorities on account of ticks, unless and until 
such tick-infested horses are first dipped or otherwise 



STALLION LAWS AND REGULATIONS 439 

treated as hereafter specified in this regulation. . . . 
However, if horses intended for importation into the 
United States are held for six months immediately pre- 
ceding the date they are offered for importation, on 
premises known to be free from ticks, they may be ad- 
mitted for any destination without dipping," etc. 

Disposal of diseased animals. — ''Whenever any animal 
on arriving at the port of entry or in the quarantine sta- 
tion (healthy horses are not quarantined) is found to be 
affected with a contagious disease or to have been ex- 
posed to such disease, said animal and all animals that 
have been in contact with or exposed to said animal shall 
either be refused landing or placed in special quarantine. 
All such animals found to be so diseased or exposed, 
either on arrival at port of entry or after being placed in 
quarantine, shall be at once reported to the inspector to 
the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, who will 
direct whether or not said animal or animals shall be 
landed and quarantined, and as to whether or not said 
animal or animals shall be appraised and slaughtered, as 
provided by section 8 of the act approved August 30, 
1890." 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX 

TABLE I 

HORSE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATIONS 

Tabulation Showing the Names of the Various Breeds 

OF Horses, the Name of the Society Promoting 

THE Breed and the Name and Address 

OF THE Secretary in Charge. 



Breed 


Registered by 


Secretary 


Address 


Percheron 


Percheron Society 
of America 


W. Dinsmore 


Union Stock Yards, 
Chicago, 111. 


French Draft 


National French 
Draft Horse 
Association 


C. E. Stubbs 


Fairfield, Iowa 


Clydesdale 


American Clydes- 
dale Association 


R. B. Ogilvie 


Union Stock Yards, 
Chicago, 111. 


Shire 


American Shire 
Horse Association 


Charles Burgess 


Winona, 111. 


Belgian 


American Associa- 
ciation of Importers 
and Breeders of 
Belgian Draft 
Horses 


J. D. Connor, Jr. 


Wabash, Ind. 


SuflFolk 


American Suffolk 
Horse Association 


A. Galbraith 


Janesville, Wis. 


Hackney 


American Hackney 
Horse Society 


Gurney C. Gwe 


308 West 97th St. 
New York 


French Coach .... 


French Coach 
Horse Society of 
America 


Duncan E. Willett 


Oak Park, 111. 



442 



APPENDIX 

Table i — Continued 



443 



Breed 


Registered by 


Secretary 


Address 


German Coach. . . 


German Hanoverian 
and Oldenburg 
Coach Horse 
Association of 
America 


J. Crouch 


Lafayette, Ind. 


Cleveland Bay 


Cleveland Bay 
Society of America 


R. P. Stericker 


Oconomowoc, Wis. 


American 
Standardbred .... 


American Trotting 
Register Association 


W. H. Knight 


355 Dearborn St., 
Chicago, 111. 


Morgan* 


American Morgan 
Register Association 


T. E. Boyce 


Middlebury, Vt. 


Thoroughbred .... 


The Jockey Club 


W. H. Rowe 


Fifth Ave. and 64th 
St., New York 


Arabian 


Arabian Horse Club 
of America 


Henry W. Bush- 
Brown 


Newburgh, N. Y. 


American Saddler 


American Saddle 
Horse Breeder 
Association 


J. N. Ball 


Louisville, Ky. 


Shetland Pony . . . 


American Shetland 
Pony Club 


Miss Julia M. Wade 


Lafayette, Ind. 


Welsh Pony 


Welsh Pony and 
Cob Society of 
America 


J. Alexander 


Aurora, 111. 



* Sometimes considered merely as a family of the American Standardbred. 



TABLE II 

STATISTICS OF HORSES AND MULES* 

Number of Horses, Mules and Asses on Farms and Not 

ON Farms for the United States; Also 

Approximate Number by Continents 



Country 


Horses 


Mules 


Asses 


United States : 

On farms 


20,509,000 
3,182,789 


4,362.000 
270,371 


105,698 


Not on farms 


16,502 



* Agricultural Yearbook 1911. 



444 



APPENDIX 



Table 


II — Continued 




Country 


Horses 


Mules 


Asses 




27,873,248 
9,155,425 

43.502,876 

15,082,239 
1.035.964 
2,577,203 

99,226,955 


5,076,513 
893,019 

1,810.365 

113,643 

318,368 

416 

8.212.324 


436.122 


Total South America 

Total Europe 

Total Asia 


608.397 
3,011,349 
4,162,310 


Total Africa 


666,180 


Total Oceania, including Australia 

Grand Total 


1.858 
8,886.216 







TABLE III 

Number and Farm Value of Horses and Mules on 

Farms in the United States, 1870-1912, by 



Five-Year Periods. 





Horses 


Mules 


Jan. 1 




Price per 


Farm value 




Price per 


Farm value 




Number 


head 
Jan. 1 


Jan. 1 


Number 


head 
Jan. 1 


Jan. 1 


1870.. 


8,249,000 


$ 67.43 


$556,251,000 


$1,180,000 


$ 90.42 


$106,654,000 


1875.. 


9,504.000 


61.10 


580,708,000 


1,394,000 


71.89 


100,197,000 


1880.. 


11,202,000 


54.75 


613,297,000 


1,730,000 


61.26 


105,948,000 


1885.. 


11.565.000 


73.70 


852,283,000 


1,973,000 


82.38 


162,497,000 


1890.. 


14,214,000 


68.64 


978,517,000 


2,331,000 


78.25 


182,394.000 


1895.. 


15.893.000 


36.29 


576,731,000 


2,333,000 


47.55 


110.928,000 


1900.. 


13,538,000 


44.61 


603,969,000 


2,086,000 


53.55 


111.717,000 


1905 . . 


17,058,000 


70.37 


1,200,310.000 


2,889,000 


87.18 


251,840,000 


1910.. 


21,040,000 


108.19 


2,276,363,000 


4,123,000 


119.84 


494,095,000 


1912.. 


20,509.000 


105.94 


2,172,694,000 


4,362,000 


120.51 


525,657,000 



Imports, Exports 
Mules, 18 



TABLE IV 
and Average Prices of Horses and 

)2-I9II. 



BY Five- Year Periods 





Imports of horses 


Exports of horses 


Exports of mules 


Year 








end- 




















ing 






Aver- 






Aver- 






Aver- 


June 


Num- 


Value 


age 


Num- 


Value 


age 


Num- 


Value 


age 


30 


ber 




import 
price 


ber 




export 
price 


ber 




export 
price 


1892 


14,074 


$2,455,868 


$174.50 


3,226 


$ 611,188 


$189.46 


1.965 


$ 238,591 


$121.42 


1897 


6,998 


464,808 


66.42 


39,532 


4,769,265 


120.64 


7,473 


545,331 


72.97 


1902 


4,832 


1,577,234 


326,41 


103,020 


10,048,046 


97.53 


27,586 


2,692,298 


97.60 


1907 


6,080 


1.978,105 


325.35 


33,882 


4,359,957 


131.99 


6,781 


850,901 


125.48 


1911 


9,593 


2,692.074 


280.63 


25,145 


3,845,253 


152.92 


6,585 


1,070,051 


162.50 



APPENDIX 



445 



TABLE V 

Number, Average Price and Farm Value of Horses 

AND Mules on Farms in the United States 

January i, 1912. 





Horses 


Mules 






Aver- 






Aver- 




State 


Number 


age 
price 


Farm 


Number 


age 
price 


Farm 




Jan. 1 


per 


value 


Jan. 1 


per 


value 






head 


Jan. 1 




head 


Jan.l 






Jan. 1 






Jan. 1 




Maine . . 


109,000 
46,000 


$127.00 
126.00 


$13,843,000 
5,796,000 








New Hampshire . . . 




Vermont 


84,000 


121.00 


10,164,000 








Massachusetts 


64,000 


144.00 


9,216,000 








Rhode Island 


10,000 


150.00 


1,500,000 








Connecticut 


47,000 


131.00 


6,157,000 








New York 


609,000 


133.00 


80,997,000 


4,000 


$150.00 


$660,000 


New Jersey 


91,000 


143.00 


13,013,000 


4,000 


160.00 


640,000 


Pennsylvania 


572,000 


130.00 


74,360.000 


44,000 


147.00 


6,468,000 


Delaware 


34,000 


108.00 


3,672,000 


6,000 


133.00 


798,000 


Maryland 


163,000 


112.00 


18,256,000 


23,000 


136.00 


3,220,000 


Virginia 


340,000 


109.00 


37,060,000 


61,000 


126.00 


7,686,000 


West Virginia 


182,000 


113.00 


20,566,000 


12,000 


122.00 


1,464,000 


North Carolina 


173,000 


126.00 


21,798,000 


182,000 


146.00 


25,988,000 


South Carolina. . . . 


82,000 


135.00 


11,070,000 


166.000 


165.00 


27,390,000 




124,000 


132.00 


16,368,000 


310,000 


158.00 


48,980,000 


Florida 


52,000 


106.00 


5,512,000 


25,000 


154.00 


3.850,000 


Ohio 


901,000 


126.00 


113-526.000 


24,000 


127.00 


3,048.000 


Indiana 


838,000 


118.00 


98,884,000 


84,000 


124.00 


10,416,000 


Illinois 


1,497,000 


115.00 


172,155,000 


151,000 


123.00 


18,573,000 


Michigan 


634,000 


131.00 


83,054,000 


4,000 


135.00 


540,000 


Wisconsin 


652,000 


124.00 


80,848,000 


3,000 


125.00 


375,000 


Minnesota 


806,000 


116.00 


93,496,000 


6,000 


119.00 


714,000 


Iowa 


1,568,000 


113.00 


177,184,000 


57,000 


119.00 


6,783,000 


Missouri 


1,095,000 


102.00 


111,690,000 


333,000 


115.00 


38,295,000 


North Dakota 


691,000 


114.00 


78,774,000 


8,000 


127.00 


1,016,000 


South Dakota 


675,000 


92.00 


62,100,000 


13,000 


108.00 


1,404,000 


Nebraska 


1,059,000 


91.00 


96,369,000 


85,000 


106.00 


9,010,000 


Kansas 


1,169,000 


96.00 


112,224,000 


218,000 


108.00 


23,544.000 


Kentucky 


443,000 


107.00 


47,401,000 


234,000 


118.00 


27.612,000 


Tennessee 


354,000 


114.00 


40,356,000 


279,000 


123.00 


34,317,000 


Alabama 


143,000 


99.00 


14,157,000 


265,000 


127.00 


33,655,000 


Mississippi 


234,000 


89.00 


20,826,000 


277,000 


113.00 


31,301,000 


Louisiana 


187,000 


79.00 


14,773,000 


134,000 


116.00 


15,544,000 


Texas 


1,158,000 


74.00 


85.692,000 


703,000 


104.00 


73,112,000 


Oklahoma 


750,000 


76.00 


57,000 000 


272,000 


98.00 


26,656,000 


Arkansas 


265,000 


86.00 


22,790.000 


228,000 


110.00 


25,080,000 


Montana 


347,000 


87.00 


30,189,000 


4,000 


107.00 


364,000 


Wyoming 


159,000 


69.00 


10,971,000 


2,000 


99.00 


198,000 


Colorado 


321,000 


80.00 


25.680,000 


17,000 


100.00 


1,700.000 


New Mexico. 


185,000 


50.00 


9,250,000 


15,000 


86.00 


1,290,000 


Arizona 


104,000 


69.00 


7,176,000 


4,000 


118.00 


472,000 


Utah 


131,000 


93.00 


12,183,000 


2,000 


85.00 


170,000 


Nevada 


72,000 


77.00 


5,544,000 


3,000 


82.00 


246,000 


Idaho 


214,000 


96.00 


20,544,000 


4,000 


112.00 


448,000 


Washington 


293,000 


107.00 


31,351,000 


14,000 


112.00 


1,568,000 


Oregon 


289,000 


102.00 


29,478,000 


10,000 


112.00 


1,110,000 


California 


493,000 


117.00 


57,681,000 


72,000 


136.00 


9,792,000 


United States 


20,509,000 


$105.94 


$2,172,694,000 


4,362,000 


$120.51 


$525,657,000 



446 



APPENDIX 

TABLE VI 



AVERAGE WEIGHTS OF FEEDING STUFFS 

As a rule it is not practicable to weigh each ration, nor 
is it necessary in practice, as measuring is sufficiently ac- 
curate. To aid in approximating the weights of the 
various foods, the following table of weights and meas- 
ures is made up from Farmer's Bulletin, No. 222: 



Feeding stuffs 


One quart 
weighs 


One pound 
measures 




Pounds 


Quarts 


Corn, whole 

Com, meal 

Corn, bran 

Com and cob meal . . . 


1.7 
1.5 
0.5 
1.4 
1.7 
1.3 
1.4 
1.1 
0.6 
2.0 
1.7 
0.5 
0.8 
1.2 
1.3 

i.a 

0.7 
1.7 
1.5 
0.6 
1.5 
1.1 
0.6 
0.6 
1.1 
0.9 
1.5 


0.6 
0.7 
2.0 
0.7 




0.6 


Gluten feed 


0.8 


Germ meal 


0.7 




0.9 


Distiller's dried grains 


1.2 


Wheat, whole 

Wheat, ground 

Wheat, bran 

Wheat middlings (standard) 


0.5 
0.5 
2.0 
1.3 


wheat middlings (flour) . . 


0.8 




0.8 


Oats, whole 

Oats, ground 

Rye, whole 


1.0 
1.4 
0.6 
0.7 


Rye, bran 

Barley, whole 

Barley, meal 

Brewer's dried grains 

Malt sprouts 


1.8 
0.7 
0.9 
1.7 
1.7 


Linseed meal, old process 

Linseed meal, new process 


0.9 
1.1 
0.7 







TABLE VII 

ENERGY VALUE AND DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS 
IN FEEDING STUFFS 

In choosing foods and computing rations for farm 
animals by the use of the energy values, it is necessary 



APPENDIX 



447 



to know the digestible protein and energy value of the 
feeds used. The following table is from Farmers' Bul- 
letin No. 346, and contains the dry matter as well as the 
digestible protein and energy values of each of the more 
common feeding stuffs. 



Dry Matter, Digestible Protein, and Energy Values 
Per 100 Pounds 



Feeding stuff 



Total dry 


Digestible 


Energy 


matter 


protein 


value 


Pounds 


Pounds 


Therms 


28.2 


2.50 


12.45 


19.1 


2.19 


11.30 


29.2 


2.21 


16.17 


20.7 


0.41 


12.44 


25.6 


1.21 


16.56 


28.9 


1.33 


14.76 


14.3 


2.16 


11.43 


23.4 


1.44 


11.63 


38.4 


1.04 


19.08 


91.6 


6.93 


34.41 


84.7 


5.41 


34.74 


57.8 


2.13 


30.53 


59.5 


1.80 


26.53 


89.3 


8.57 


42.76 


92.3 


3.00 


44.03 


[84.0 


2.59 


36.97 


88.7 


7.68 


38.65 


86.8 


2.05 


33,56 


90.8 


1.09 


21.21 


92.9 


0.63 


20.87 


90.4 


0.37 


16.56 


11.4 


0.37 


7.82 


9.1 


0.14 


4.62 


21.1 


0.45 


18.05 


11.4 


0.88 


8.00 


9.4 


0.22 


5.74 


89.1 


8.37 


80.75 


89.1 


6,79 


88.84 


84.9 


4.53 


72.05 


89.0 


8.36 


66.27 


89.5 


16.77 


71.75 


88.4 


8.12 


81.72 


89.5 


8.90 


82.63 


92.0 


19.04 


60.01 


24.3 


3.81 


14.82 


88.2 


22.34 


75.92 


91.8 


35.15 


84.20 



Green fodder and silage: 

Alfalfa 

Clover — crimson 

Clover — red 

Com fodder — green 

Com silage 

Hungarian grass 

Rape 

Rye 

Timothy 

Hay and dry coarse fodders : 

Alfalfa hay 

Clover hay — red 

Com forage, field cured, 

Com stover 

Cowpea hay 

Hungarian hay 

Oat hay 

Soy bean hay 

Timothy hay 

Straws: 

Oat straw 

Rye straw 

Wheat straw 

Roots and tubers: 

Carrots 

Mangel-wurzels 

Potatoes 

Rutabagas 

Turnips 

Grains: 

Barley 

Com 

Com-and-cob meal 

Oats 

Pea meal 

Rye 

Wheat 

By-products: 

Brewer's grains — dried. . 

Brewer's grains — wet . . . 

Buckwheat middlings . . . 

Cottonseed meal 



448 



APPENDIX 

Table vii — Continued 



Feeding stuff 


Total dry 
matter; 


Digestible 
protein 


Energy 
value 


By-products — Continued 

Distiller's grains — dried — 

Principally corn 

Principally rye 

Gluten feed — dry 


93.0 
93.2 
91.9 
91.8 
90.5 
90.8 
90.1 
89/8 
88.2 
10.1 
93.6 
88.1 
84.0 


21.93 
10.38 
19.95 
21.56 
33.09 
27.54 
29.26 
12.36 
11.35 
0.63 
6.80 
10.21 
12.79 


79.23 
60.93 
79.32 


Gluten meal— Buffalo 

Gluten meal — Chicago 

Linseed meal— old process 

Linseed meal — new process 

Malt sprouts 


88.80 
78.49 
78.92 
74.67 
46.33 
56.65 


Sitgar-beet pulp— fresh 

Sugar-beet pulp — dried 

Wheat bran . 


7.77 
60.10 
48.23 
77.65 







TABLE VIII 

DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENTS AND FERTILIZING 
CONSTITUENTS IN FEEDING STUFFS 

In choosing foods for a ration, the digestible nutrients 
should be known, as it is the digestible part only that is 
of use to the animal. The following table is adapted 
from Henry's "Feeds and Feeding," eleventh edition, and 
gives a very complete list of American feeding stuffs, their 
digestible nutrients and fertilizing constituents : 

Average Digestible Nutrients and Fertilizing Con- 
stituents 





Total 

dry 

matter 

in 100 

pounds 


Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 


Fertilizing constituents 
in 1,000 pounds 


Name of feed 


Crude 
protein 


Carbo- 
hy- 
drates 


Fat 


Nitro- 
gen 


Phos- 
phoric 
acid 


Potash 


CONCENTRATES 
Grains, seeds and their 

parts 
Dent corn 


Lbs. 

89.4 
88.7 
91.2 
85.0 
89.3 
84.9 


Lbs. 

7.8 
8.0 
8.8 
6.1 
0.5 
4.4 


Lbs. 

66.8 
66.2 
63.7 
64.3 
44.8 
60.0 


Lbs. 

4.3 
4.3 
7.0 
3.5 

■ '2.9 


Lbs. 

16.5 
16.8 
18.6 
14.7 
3.9 
13.6 


Lbs. 

7.1 
7.1 
7.1 
6.3 
0.6 
5.7 


Lbs. 
5.7 


Flint corn 


5.7 
5.7 




4.7 


Corn cob 

Corn-and-cob meal 


6.0 

4.7 



APPENDIX 



449 



Table nth— Continued 



Name of feed 



Total 

dry 

matter 

in 100 

pounds 



Digestible nutrients 
• in 100 pounds 



Crude 
protein 



Carbo- 

hy- 
drates 



Fat 



Fertilizing constituents 
in 1 ,000 pounds 



Nitro- 
gen 



Phos- 
phoric 
acid 



Potash 



Concentrates — Continued 

Gluten meal 

Gluten feed 

Hominy feed (chop) 

Germ oil meal 

Corn bran 

Wheat ;.. 

High grade flour 

Red dog flour 

Flour wheat middlings. . . 
Standard wheat middlings 

(shorts) 

Wheat bran, all analyses 

Winter wheat bran 

Spring wheat bran 

Wheat feed 

Wheat screenings 

Rye 

Rye flour 

Rye middlings 

Rye bran 

Rye feed 

Barley 

Barley screenings 

Barley feed 

Emmer (speltz) 

Oats 

Ground oats 

Oat meal 

Oat middlings 

Oat feed 

Oat dust 

Oat hulls 

Buckwheat 

Buckwheat flour 

Buckwheat middlings 

Buckwheat bran 

Buckwheat feed 

Buckwheat hulls 

Rice 

Rice meal 

Rice polish 

Rice bran 

Rice hulls 

Canada field pea 

Canada field pea meal . . . 
Canada field pea bran . . . 

Table bean meal 

Cowpea 

Soy bean 



Lbs. 

90.5 
90.8 
90.4 
91.4 
90.6 
89.5 
87.6 
90.1 
90.0 



88.1 
88.5 
88.0 
89.1 
88.4 

91.3 
86.9 
88.2 
88.4 
87.6 
89.2 
87.8 
91.1 
92.0 
89.6 
88.0 
92.1 
91.2 
93.0 
93.5 
92.6 

86.6 
85.4 
87.2 
91.8 
88.4 
86.8 

87.6 
89.8 
89.2 
90.3 
91.2 

85.0 
89.5 
89.0 
89.1 
85.4 
88.3 



Lbs. 

29.7 

21.3 

6.8 

15.8 

6.0 

8.8 

10.6 

16.2 

16.9 

13.0 
11.9 
12.1 
11.9 
12.7 
9.6 

9.5 

5.6 

11.0 

11.2 

12.6 

8.4 

9.5 

11.5 

10.0 

8.8 

10.1 

11.9 

13.1 

5.2 

5.1 

1.3 

8.1 

5.9 
22.7 

5.9 
15.6 

1.2 

6.4 
7.4 
7.9 
7.6 
0.3 

19.7 
16.8 
7.7 
20.2 
16.8 
29.1 



Lbs. 

42.5 
52.8 
60.5 
38.8 
52.5 
67.5 
65.1 
57.0 
53.6 

45.7 
42.0 
37.1 
43.1 
47.1 
48.2 

69.4 
72.2 
52.9 
46.8 
56.6 
65.3 
49.9 
60.3 
70.3 
49.2 
52.5 
65.1 
57.7 
30.1 
32.8 
38.5 

48.2 
63.0 
37.5 
34.0 
38.2 
28.6 

79.2 
48.3 
58.6 
38.8 
19.9 

49.3 
51.7 
41.6 
42.3 
54.9 
23.3 



Lbs. 

6.1 
2.9 
7.4 
10.8 
4.8 
1.5 
1.0 
3.4 
4.1 

4.5 
2.5 
2.8 
3.1 
4.0 
1.9 

1.2 
0.5 
2.6 
1.8 
2.8 
1.6 
2.5 
2.9 
2.0 
4.3 
3.7 
6.7 
6.5 
2.6 
2.3 
0.6 

2.4 
1.2 
6.1 
2.0 
4.4 
0.5 

0.4 
11.9 

5.3 
7.3 
0.7 

0.4 
0.7 
0.6 
1.3 
1.1 
14.6 



Lbs. 

54.8 
40.0 
16.8 
34.7 
17.9 
19.0 
19.2 
29.4 
30.7 

27.0 
24.6 
25.1 
25.1 
26.1 
20.0 

18.1 
10.7 
22.9 
23.3 
25.1 
19.2 
19.7 
22.1 
18.4 
18.2 
19.7 
23.5 
25.9 
12.8 
21.6 
5.3 

17.3 
11.0 

42.7 
20.2 
29.3 

7.3 

11.8 
19.2 
19.0 
19.0 
5.1 

37.9 
32.3 
16.0 
37.1 
32.8 
53.6 



Lbs. 

Z.i 
3.7 
9.8 
3.9 
10.1 
5.5 
5.7 

12.2 

26.3 
26.9 



20.4 
11.7 

8.6 

8.2 

12.3 

22.8 

7.7 

7.9 

" 6.6 
7.6 

7.8 
7.6 

2 2'. 5 
6.1 

1.6 

6.9 

6.S 
12.3 

4.2 
15.8 

4.3 

1.8 

26.7 
2.9 
1.7 

8.4 

8.2 

3.1 

12.0 

10.1 

10.4 



Lbs. 

0.5 
0.4 
4.9 
2.1 
6.2 
8.7 
5.4 

"9.6 

15.3 
15.2 



5.4 
8.4 

5.8 

6.5 

9.6 

14.0 

4.7 
4.8 

' 3.4 
5.7 
4.8 
5.0 

15.3 
7.2 

'4.9 

3.0 

3.4 
11.4 
12.7 
10.5 
14.7 

0.9 

y.i 

2.4 
1.4 

10.1 
9.9 
10.3 
12.9 
12.0 
12.6 



450 



APPENDIX 
Table viii — Continued 





Total 

dry 

matter 

in 100 
pounds 


Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 


Fertilizing constituents 
in 1,000 pounds 


Name of feed 


Crude 
protein 


Carbo- 
hy- 
drates 


Fat 


Nitro- 
gen 


Phos- 
phoric 
acid 


Potash 


Concentrates — Continued 


Lbs. 

88.7 

90.1 
86.4 
87.2 
91.0 
90.3 
87.2 
87.9 
90.5 

90.8 
90.2 
91.0 
89.7 
93.9 
93.0 
88.9 
89.6 
89.7 
91.4 
89.2 

92.5 
89.3 
90.0 
92.6 

91.3 
23.0 
90.5 
92.4 

17.0 
88.0 
88.0 
31.2 
7.3 
87.0 
10.2 
91.6 
79.2 
74.1 
92.0 
89.6 
90.9 

12.8 

25.4 

9.4 

9.9 


Lbs. 

23.1 

5.2 
4.2 
4.5 
4.9 
4.2 
4.6 
7.1 
6.4 

20.6 
30.2 
31.5 
12.5 

7.9 
37.6 

0.3 
16.0 
15.4 
14.8 
29.5 

25.1 
42.8 
25.3 
33.0 

20.0 

4.9 

20.3 

22.8 

0.6 
0.4 
2.4 
3.7 
0.4 
7.0 
0.5 
4.1 
4.7 
1.4 
6.1 
10.8 
9.8 

3.4 

17.6 

2.9 

3.8 


Lbs. 

49.8 

44.3 
42.4 
61.1 
44.8 
45.0 
42.2 
48.5 
48.8 

17.1 
32.0 
35.7 
30.0 
25.5 
21.4 
33.2 
52.6 
41.2 
29.7 
23.3 

13.7 
20.4 
23.7 
10.9 

32.2 

9.4 

46.0 

39.7 

13.1 
74.0 
70.6 
12.4 

6.8 
55.5 

7.7 
64.9 
54.1 
59.2 
68.7 
48.0 
40.8 

4.8 
2.7 
5.3 
3.9 


Lbs. 

0.8 

1.4 
1.2 
2.8 
1.3 
1.1 
1.5 
2.5 
i.3 

29.0 

6.9 

2.4 

17.3 

19.9 

9.6 

1.7 

9.0 

10.7 

18.2 

8.0 

35.6 

7.2 

7.6 

23.4 

6.0 

1.7 

1.4 

. 11.6 

0.5 
0.6 
1.1 
2.6 
0.1 
4.8 

■ 2.2 
0.9 

3.7 
3.6 
0.3 

x.o 


Lbs. 

42.6 

17.9 
14.7 
14.6 
17.1 
14.7 
15.8 
17.4 
15.8 

36.3 
54.2 
60.0 
29.4 
26.9 
72.5 
6.7 
26.9 
31.5 
26.1 
52.5 

44.6 
76.2 
49.9 

58.7 

40.0 
10.7 
42.1 
49.9 

1.6 

1.2 

7.6 

8.0 

0.9 

12.8 

1.4 

12.9 

14.5 

4.3 

15.4 

27.4 

20.9 

5.8 

28.2 

5.0 

6.4 


Lbs. 
12.0 

" 8.4 

' V.2 
6.5 
4.7 

13.9 
16.6 
17.4 
10.5 

'30.4 
4.3 
11.0 
16.0 
12.2 
21.5 

12.4 
20.0 
20.0 

32.7 

16.1 
4.2 

17.4 
6.0 

0.1 
0.6 
2.9 
0.5 
0.2 

' 0.3 
2.2 
0.5 
1.2 
1.5 
8.5 

1.9 
6.6 
2.1 
L7 


Lbs. 
12.9 


Kafir com 

Ground kafir corn heads 

Sorghum seed 

Milo maize seed . ... 


' 3.4 


Ground milo maize heads 

Broom-corn seed 

Millet seed . 


' 5.2 
3.i 


Hungarian grass seed .... 
Flax seed 


3.8 
10.3 


Linseed meal, old process 
Linseed meal, new process 

Cottonseed 

Cottonseed, roasted 

Cottonseed meal 

Cottonseed hulls 

Palmnut cake 


13.7 
13.4 
10.9 

15.8 

10.4 

5.0 




24.0 


Sunflower seed 


5.6 


Sunflower-seed cake 

Peanut kernels, without 

hulls 

Peanut cake 


11.7 

12.7 
15.0 




13.0 


Sesame oil cake 


14.5 


Factory by-products 

Dried brewer's grains 

Wet brewer's grains 

Malt sprouts 

Dried distiller's grains . . . 

Apple pomace 

Cassava starch refuse 

Starch refuse 


2.0 

0.5 

19.9 

1.7 

0.3 
2.8 
1.5 


Wet starch feed 


0.2 


Potato pomace 

Bakery refuse 


0.9 


Wet beet pulp 


11.4 


Dried beet pulp 


3.1 


Sugar beet molasses 

Porto Rico molasses 

Dried molasses beet pulp 

Molasses grains 

Alfalmo. 

Cow's milk 

Cow's milk, colostrum. . . 
Skim milk , 


56.3 
36.8 
18.1 
21.1 

1.7 
1.1 
2.0 


Buttermilk. ........ 


1.6 



APPENDIX 



451 



Table viii — Contmued 



Name of feed 



Total 

dry 
matter 
in 100 
pounds 



Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 



Crude 
protein 



Carbo- 

hy- 
drates 



Fat 



Fertilizing constituents 
in 1 ,000 pounds 



Nitro- 
gen 



Phos- 
phoric 
acid 



Concentrates — Continued 

Whey 

Meat scrap 

Meat and bone meal 

Dried blood 

Tankage 

Dried fish 

DRIED ROUGHAGE 

Field-cured corn forage 

Fodder corn, ears, if any 

remaining 

Corn stover, ears removed 

Corn husks 

Corn leaves 

Sweet corn forage 

Cured hay from the grasses, 
etc 

English hay 

Hay from mixed grasses 

Timothy, all analyses 

Timothy, cut in full bloom 
Timothy, cut soon after 

bloom 

Timothy, cut nearly ripe 

Meadow foxtail 

Orchard grass 

Red top 

White top 

Meadow fescue 

Kentucky blue grass 

Tall oat 

Italian rye grass 

Perennial rye grass 

Rowen hay 

Bermuda grass 

Johnson grass 

Macaroni wheat 

Barley 

Oat 

Emmer (speltz) 

Barnyard millet 

Cat-tail millet 

Hungarian grass 

Wild oat grass 

Prairie grass 



Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


6.2 


0.6 


5.0 


0.2 


1.0 


1.1 


89.3 


66.2 




13.4 


114.0 


81.1 


94.0 


36.7 


5.5 


10.6 


63.2 


146.8 


91.5 


70.9 




2.5 


135.0 


13.5 


93.0 


50.1 




11.6 


86.2 


139.0 


89.2 


45.0 




11.4 


77.4 


140.0 


57.8 


2.5 


34.6 


1.2 


7.2 


5.4 


59.5 


1.4 


31.2 


0.7 


6.1 


3.8 


49.1 


0.8 


33.8 


0.2 


4.0 




70.0 


2.8 


37.8 


0.8 


9.8 




60.0 


3.4 


36.2 


1.1 


9.8 


4.0 


86.0 


4.5 


44.0 


1.2 


12.6 


3.2 


84.7 


4.2 


42.0 


1.3 


11.9 


2.7 


86.8 


2.8 


42.4 


1.3 


9.4 


3.3 


85.0 


3.4 


43.3 


1.4 


9.6 


5.0 


85.8 


2.5 


39.2 


1.5 


9.1 


.... 


85.9 


2.1 


40.1 


1.1 


8.0 




93.4 


5.3 


41.0 


1.3 


14.9 




90.1 


4.9 


42.4 


1.4 


12.9 


3.7 


91.1 


4.8 


46.9 


1.0 


12.6 


3.6 


86.0 


6.8 


40.6 


1.5 


17.9 




80.0 


4.2 


36.9 


1.5 


11.2 


4.0 


86.0 


4.4 


40.2 


0.7 


12.5 


4.0 


86.0 


S.S 


41.4 


1.1 


10.3 




91.5 


4.5 


43.4 


0.9 


12.0 


7.6 


86.0 


6.1 


37.8 


1.2 


16.2 


7.4 


86.0 


7.9 


42.2 


1.4 


18.2 


4.3 


92.9 


6.4 


44.9 


1.6 


17.1 




89.8 


2.9 


45.6 


0.8 


11.5 




93.0 


4.4 


48.7 


0.8 


10.9 




85.0 


5.7 


43.6 


1.0 


14.1 




86.0 


4.7 


36.7 


1.7 


14.2 


6.7 


93.4 


7.0 


43.9 


0.6 


17.1 




86.0 


5.2 


38.6 


0.8 


16.9 


4.3 


89.0 


7.2 


41.6 


1.0 


18.5 




86.0 


5.0 


46.9 


1.1 


12.1 


4.3 


85.7 


2.9 


48.7 


1.7 


8.0 




90.8 


3.0 


42.9 


1.6 


9.9 






452 



APPENDIX 

Table viii — Contimied 



Name of feed 



Total 

dry 

matter 

in 100 

pounds 



Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 



Crude 
protein 



Carbo- 

hy- 
drates 



Fat 



Fertilizing constituents 
in 1,000 pounds 



Nitro- 
gen 



Phos- 
phoric 
acid 



Dried Roughage — 

Continued 

Buffalo grass 

Gama grass 

Texas blue grass 

Guinea grass 

Para grass 

Swamp grass 

Salt marsh grass 

Buttercups 

Ox-eye daisy 

Australian salt bush 

Cured hay from legumes and 
mixed legumes and grasses 

Red clover 

Red clover in bloom 

Mammoth red clover. . . . 

Alsike clover 

White clover 

Crimson clover 

Japan clover 

Sweet clover 

Soy bean 

Cowpea 

Alfalfa 

Alfalfa leaves 

Bur clover 

Hairy (winter) vetch .... 

Serradella 

Peanut pine 

Velvet bean 

Beggar weed 

Sanf oin 

Wheat and vetch 

Oat and pea 

Oat and vetch 

Mixed grasses and clover 
Mixed rowen 

Straw and chaff 

Wheat 

Rye 

Oat 

Barley 

Millet 

Buckwheat 

Field bean 



Lbs. 

85.0 

85.7 
85.7 



88.4 
89.6 
90.7 
89.7 
93.0 



84.7 
79.2 
78.8 
90.3 
90.3 

90.4 
89.0 
92.1 
88.2 
89.5 
91.9 
95.1 

91.0 

88.7 
90.8 
92.4 
90.0 
90.8 

85.0 
85.0 
89.5 
85.0 
87.1 
83.4 



90.4 
92.9 
90.8 
85.8 
85.0 
90.1 

95.0 



Lbs. 

3.0 
4.2 
5.1 

5.5 

4.0 
3.1 
4.8 
3.7 
3.8 



7.1 

7.7 

6.2 

8.4 

11.5 

10.5 
9.1 
11.9 
10.6 
9.2 
10.5 
16.8 

8.2 
11.9 
11.4 
6.7 
9.6 
6.8 

10.4 
10.6 
7.6 
8.3 
5.8 
8.0 



0.8 
0.7 
1.3 
0.9 
0.9 
1.2 

3.6 



Lbs. 

42.0 
39.9 
36.3 

47.2 
45.6 

38.9 
39.7 
40.7 
41.0 

28.8 



37.8 
34.0 
34.7 
39.7 
42.2 

34.9 
37.7 
36.7 
40.9 
39.3 
40.5 
35.9 

39.0 
40.7 
38.6 

42.2 
52.2 
42.8 

36.5 
36.8 
41.5 
35.8 
41.8 
40.1 



35.2 
39.6 
39.5 
40.1 
34.3 
37.4 

39.7 



Lbs. 

1.6 
0.9 
1.4 
0.5 
0.6 

0.7 
0.9 
1.8 
1.7 
0.7 



1.8 
2.8 
2.1 
1.1 
1.5 

1.2 
1.4 
0.5 
1.2 
1.3 
0.9 
1.3 

2.1 
1.6 
1.7 
3.0 
1.4 
1.6 

2.0 
1.2 
1.5 
1.3 
1.3 
1.5 



0.4 
0.4 
0.8 
0.6 
0.6 
0.5 



Lbs. 

7.1 
11.8 
14.6 

8.8 
14.6 

11.5 
8.8 
15.9 
12.3 
18.6 



19.7 
19.9 
17.1 
20.5 
25.1 

24.3 
22.1 
28.8 
23.8 
14.3 
23.4 
37.3 

21.8 
27.2 
24.3 
17.1 
22.4 
18.9 

23.7 
23.2 
16.5 
20.5 
16.2 
18.6 



5.0 
5.0 
5.8 
7.0 
6.5 
8.0 



Lbs. 



4.4 
5.9 



5.5 

5.2 
5.0 
7.8 

4.0 

5.6 

5.2 
6.1 



9.7 
7.4 
3.2 



5.0 



6.1 
6.0 



2.2 
2.5 
3.0 
2.0 
1.8 
1.3 



APPENDIX 
Table N\\\—Conti7iued 



453 



Name of feed 



Total 

dry 
matter 
in 100 
pounds 



Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 



Fertilizing constituents 
in 1 ,000 pounds 





Carbo- 




Crude 


hy. 


Fat 


protein 


drates 




Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


2.3 


40.1 


1.0 


4.3 


39.5 


0.8 


1.2 


25.4 


0.6 


1.5 


33.0 


0.7 


1.2 


34.4 


1.0 


0.5 


52.2 


0.7 


1.0 


11.9 


0.4 


0.9 


12.2 


0.4 


1.1 


15.0 


0.7 


1.1 


11.4 


0.5 


1.5 


13.2 


0.6 


1.2 


12.6 


0.4 


0.7 


11.6 


0.4 


0.8 


9.7 


0.4 


0.8 


8.3 


0.5 


0.9 


4.9 


0.2 


1.1 


9.3 


0.3 


0.6 


11.6 


0.3 


0.5 


9.5 


0.3 


2.5 


10.1 


0.5 


2.8 


19.7 


0.8 


1.5 


19.9 


0.6 


1.2 


13.4 


0.5 


1.9 


21.3 


0.5 


1.7 


12.0 


0.4 


2.1 


14.1 


0.4 


2.6 


11.0 


0.6 


2.5 


18.2 


1.0 


1.1 


12.4 


0.5 


1.9 


10.4 


0.3 


1.6 


18.6 


0.5 


1.5 


12.6 


0.7 


1.2 


15.7 


0.5 


0.6 


13.7 


0.2 


1.3 


13.4 


0.4 


2.0 


15.9 


0.4 


1.1 


13.6 


0.3 


1.6 


14.4 


0.3 


0.6 


10.0 


0.2 


0.8 


11.0 


0.2 


0.8 


10.8 


0.3 



Nitro- 
gen 


Phos- 
phoric 
acid 



Potash 



Dried Roughage — 

Continued 

Soy bean 

Horse bean 

Wheat chaff 

Oat chaff 

Flax chives 

Sorghum bagasse 

Green corn and sorghum 
forage 

Fodder corn, all varieties 

Dent varieties 

Dent, kernels glazed 

Flint varieties 

Flint , kernels glazed 

Sweet varieties 

Sweet com, without ears 

Red kafir com 

White kafir corn 

Teosinte 

Yellow milo maize 

Sorghum fodder 

Sugar cane 

Fresh green grasses 

Pasture grass 

Kentucky blue grass 

Timothy 

Orchard grass 

Red top, in bloom 

Wheat forage 

Rye forage 

Oat forage, stage uncertain 

Oat forage, in milk 

Oat forage, in bloom 

Barley forage 

Meadow fescue 

Italian rye grass 

Tall oat grass 

Johnson grass 

Bermuda gf ass 

Hungarian grass 

Japanese millet 

Barnyard millet 

Pearl millet 

Common millet 

Hog millet 



Lbs. 

89.9 
90.8 

85.7 
85.7 
90.0 



20.7 
21.0 
26.6 
20.2 
22.9 
20.9 
20.0 

18.4 
16.6 
9.9 
16.8 
20.6 
15.8 



20.0 
34.9 
38.4 
27.0 
34.7 

22.7 
23.4 
25.0 
37.8 
25.0 
21.0 

30.1 
26.8 
30.5 
25.0 
28.3 

28.9 
25.0 
25.0 
18.5 
20.0 
20.0 



Lbs. 


Lbs. 


6.8 


2.5 


14.1 




7.2 


3.8 


6.4 


1.4 


8.1 




5.5 




2.9 


1.1 


2.7 




3.2 




3.2 


1.3 


4.3 




3.4 


1.4 


2.2 




2.9 


1.3 


3.0 


1.2 


2.2 


0.6 


2.7 


1.1 


2.1 


0.7 


1.9 


0.9 


5.6 


2.6 


6.6 




5.0 


2.6 


4.2 


1.6 


4.5 




3.8 


1.6 


4.2 


2.5 


5.6 




5.4 


1.3 


2.6 




4.3 




3.8 




5.0 


2.9 


3.8 




1.9 




3.5 




5.0 


1.2 


3.4 


2.0 


3.8 


1.1 


1.9 


1.5 


2.4 


0.7 


2.4 





Lbs. 
10.4 



8.2 
4.5 



3.1 
3.8 



4.5 
5.0 
9.2 
5.7 
3.4 
4.4 



7.4 



7.6 
7.6 



6.0 
7.1 



3.8 



11.4 



4.2 
3.4 
5.8 
7.1 
4.7 



454 



APPENDIX 
Table viii — Continued 





Total 

dry 

matter 

in 100 

pounds 


Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 


FertiHzing constituents 
in 1,000 pounds 


Name of feed 


Crude 

protein 


Carbo- 
hy- 
drates 


Fat 


Nitro- 
gen 


Phos- 
phoric 
acid 


Potash 


Dried Roughage — 

Continued 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Lbs. 


Fresh green legumes, grasses 
and legumes combined 


















29.2 
20.0 
25.2 
19.1 
20.0 


2.9 
2.0 
2.6 

2.4 
2.5 


13.6 
9.1 

11.4 
9.1 
8.4 


0.7 
0.2 
0.5 
0.5 
0.4 


7.0 
4.8 
6.2 
5.0 
6.1 


1.5 

" V.i 

1.2 

2.4 


4.8 


Mammoth red clover. . . . 

Alsike clover 

Crimson clover 


' 2.6 
4.0 


Sweet clover 


6.7 


Alfalfa 


28.2 
15.0 
16.4 
15.0 
18.0 


3.6 
1.9 
1.8 

2.8 
3.5 


12.1 
6.6 

8.7 
6.4 

7.7 


0.4 
0.2 
0.2 
0.3 
0.3 


7.7 
4.3 
3.8 
5.8 
6.7 


1.3 
1.0 
1.3 
1.4 


5.6 

4.5 


Cowpea 

Hairy vetch, winter 

Hairy vetch, in bloom . . . 


4.6 

5.2 




24.9 
20.5 
15.8 
17.8 
25.0 


3.1 
2.1 
2.3 
2.7 
2.9 


11.0 
8.9 

7.3 
8.4 
11.1 


0.5 
0.4 
0.2 
0.4 
0.5 


6.4 
4.3 
4.5 
5.6 
7.0 


1.4 
1.6 
0.5 

■ V.4 


5.6 


Serradella 

Horse bean 


5.5 
2.1 


Velvet bean .... 




Sanfoin 


5.7 


Canada field pea 

Canada field pea, in bud 
Canada field pea, in bloom 
Canada field pea, in pod 
Barley and vetch 


15.3 
15.0 
13.0 
16.0 
20.0 


1.8 
2.6 
2.3 
1.9 
2.1 


6.9 
6.8 
5.3 
7.0 
6.5 


0.3 
0.3 
0.2 
0.2 
0.3 


4.5 
5.0 

4.5 
3.7 
4.5 


1.6 
1.1 
1.1 
1.3 
2.0 


5.0 

4.4 
3.2 
3.7 

5.7 


Barley and peas 

Oats and peas 


20.0 
20.3 
20.0 
20.0 
25.0 


2.1 
1.8 
2.3 
2.6 
2.3 


9.1 
10.2 
10.0 
10.3 
14.6 


0.4 
0.4 
0.2 
0.3 
0.5 


4.5 
3.8 
4.8 
5.4 
4.6 


' V.5 
1.4 


■ 5.6 
3.0 


Wheat and vetch 

Mixed grass and clover. . 




Roots and tubers 
















Potato 


20.9 
11.5 

9.1 
13.5 

9.9 


1.1 
1.2 
1.0 
1.3 
0.9 


15.7 
7.9 
5.5 
9.8 
6.4 


0.1 
0.1 
0.2 
0.1 
0.1 


3.4 
2.4 
2.2 
2.9 
2.1 


1.6 
0.8 
0.9 
0.8 
0.9 


5.8 
4.8 


Mangel 

Sugar beet 


3.8 
3.7 


Flat turnip 


3.4 


Carrot 

Rutabaga 

Parsnip 

Artichoke 

Sweet potato 


11.4 
11.4 
11.7 
20.5 
28.9 
20.5 
34.0 


0.8 
1.0 
1.1 
1.3 
0.8 
0.6 
0.8 


7.7 
8.1 
10.1 
14.7 
22.9 
9.1 
28.9 


0.3 
0.2 
0.2 
0.2 
0.3 
5.6 
0.2 


1.8 
1.9 
2.6 
4.2 

2.4 

' 2.0 


0.9 
1.2 
2.0 
1.4 
0.8 

■ V.6 


2.6 
4.9 

4.4 
4.7 
3.7 


Chufa 

Cassava 


■ '4.6 


Miscellaneous 
















Acorns 

Apples 


44.7 
22.2 


2.1 
0.8 


34.4 
16.5 


1.7 
0.2 


4.0 
1.2 


■ o.i 


' V.7 



APPENDIX 



455 



Table viii — Continued 



Name of feed 



Total 

Dry 

matter 

in 100 

pounds 



Digestible nutrients 
in 100 pounds 



Crude 
protein 



Carbo- 
hy- 
drates 



Fat 



Fertilizing constituents 
in 1 ,000 pounds 



Nitro- 
gen 



Phos- 
phoric 
acid 



Potash 



Dried Roughage — 

Continued 

Dwarf Essex rape 

Dwarf Essex rape, summer, 

southern states ..... 
Dwarf Essex rape, winter, 

southern states 

Cabbage 

Sugar beet leaves 

Field pumpkin 

Garden pumpkin 

Prickly pear 

Cane cacti 

Dried banana tops 

Dried banana butts 

Spurry 

Prickly comfrey 

Purslane 

Dandelion 

Greasewood 

Common little sage 

Common sage 

Australian salt bush .... 

Dried oak leaves, gathered 
in July 

Dried mixed tree leaves, 
gathered in July .... 

Dried beech twigs, gath- 
ered in winter 

Silage 

Com, early analyses 

Com, recent analyses .... 

Corn, ears removed 

Sorghum 

Millet 

Rye 

Red clover 

Canada field pea 

Soy bean 

Cowpea vine 

Brewer's grains 

Apple pomace 

Com cannery refuse, husk 
Corn cannery refuse, cobs 

Pea cannery refuse 

Cowpea and soy bean 

Corn and soy bean 

Barnyard millet and soy 
bean 



Lbs. 

14.3 

15.0 

15.0 
10.0 
12.0 
9.1 
19.2 
15.8 
21.5 



20.0 
13.0 
9.0 
15.7 
95.5 
65.0 
50.4 
22.0 

95.1 

84.0 

84.7 



20.9 
26.4 
26.3 
23.9 
26.0 
19.2 

28.0 
49.9 
25.8 
20.7 
29.7 
15.0 

16.2 
25.9 
23.2 
30.2 
24.0 

21.0 



Lbs. 

2.0 

1.9 

2.0 
2.3 
1.9 
1.0 
1.4 
0.4 
0.9 
4.4 

2.1 
1.5 
1.7 
2.0 
1.1 
10.9 
3.2 
1.2 
2.0 

3.2 

3.5 

0.9 



0.9 
1.4 
1.1 
0.1 
0.2 
0.7 

1.5 
3.4 
2.7 
1.5 
4.6 
0.7 

0.4 
0.3 
2.1 
2.2 
1.6 

1.6 



Lbs. 



8.6 

8.1 
5.9 
5.0 
5.8 
8.3 
6.2 
11.1 
36.6 

37.1 

9.8 

5.1 

4.5 

7.5 

40.9 

19.7 

14.1 

8.5 

34.6 

30.4 

21.8 



11.4 
14.2 
14.9 
13.5 
13.1 
9.0 

9.2 
25.5 

9.6 

8.6 
11.5 

9.6 

10.1 

13.7 
13.1 
12.9 
13.2 

9.2 



Lbs. 

0.2 

0.2 

0.2 
0.1 
0.2 
0.2 
0.4 
0.2 
0.4 
0.8 

0.9 
0.3 
0.2 
0.1 
2.0 
1.8 
0.9 
3.8 
0.3 

1.6 

1.1 

0.6 



0.6 
0.7 
0.7 
0.2 
0.6 
0.2 

0.5 
1.0 
1.3 
0.9 
1.8 
0.5 

0.4 
0.9 
0.8 
0.8 
0.7 

0.7 



Lbs. 

3.5 

3.4 

3.7 
4.2 
4.2 
2.1 
2.9 
1.1 
2.3 
21.1 

10.2 
3.8 
3.7 
3.7 
1.9 

'21.9 
7.4 
4.4 



16.8 
6.4 



2.7 
4.3 
3.5 
1.3 
2.7 
3.8 

6.7 
9.4 
6.6 
4.3 
10.1 
1.9 

2.2 
2.4 
4.5 
6.1 
4.0 

4.5 



Lbs, 



1.1 
1.5 

V.6 
0.2 
0.6 



2.5 
1.2 



1.4 



1.1 
1.1 



1.5 
1.4 



1.6 
1.5 
4.2 
1.5 



1.1 



Lbs. 
3.5 



4.3 
6.2 

0.9 
3.7 
3.5 



5.9 
7.6 



5.0 



3.7 
3.7 



1.9 
6.2 



7.5 
4.6 
0.5 
4.0 



4.4 



i^ 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Page 
A 

Abdallah 1 118 

Abdallah 15 119 

Abortion in mares 282 

"A bull" 322 

Action 308 

in horses 17 

Age of horses 308 

how to estimate 49 

Aged horses 53 

Ailments, of the foal 287 

of the horse 419 

Alfalfa hay 354 

Altman Bros 157 

American Breeders' and Importers' 

Percheron Registry 182 

American horses 233 

American Percheron Horse Breeders' 

and Importers' Association 182 

American saddle horse 106 

classes Ill 

Denmark. F. S 107 

description 109 

development 106 

famous animals 109 

garts 112 

organizations and records 114 

origin 106 

popularity 114 

American speed records 102 

American Trotting Register 132 

Anatomy of the horse 34 

Ancestors of the horse 66 

Anchitherium 59 

Andalusian Jack 241 

Anezah race 78 

Animal body 323 

Ankle, cocked 46 

Anson, William 221 

Antiquity of the horse 56 

Appearance of the horse 306 

Appendix 441 

Arabia 78 

Arabian horse 78 

breeders 82 

description 85 

families 79 

in America 82 

influence of 81 

notable animals 84 

organizations and records 87 

origin 78 

popularity 87 

Ardennais draft horse 185, 213, 209 

Armsby standard 331 

Articular angles of the horse 30 

size of 32 



Page 

Ash in food 325 

Ass, African wild 240 

Asiatic wild 240 

domestic 240 

Association of Stallion Registration 

Boards 434 

Attitude in horses 18 

Auction, rules of 321 

at the halter 322 

legs go 322 

serviceably sound 321 

sound 321 

wind and work 322 

work only 322 

Azoturia 425 

B 

Balking 387 

Bakewell, Robert 201 

Bakewell's Gee 201 

Balanced ration 331 

Barb mares 90 

Barber, O. C 221 

Barley 348 

Barn for horses 407 

Baron of Buchlyve 192 

Baron's Pride (9122) 192 

Barrenness in mares 281 

Beans 349 

Beautiful Bells 124 

Bedding the horse 366 

Beith, Robert 139 

Belgian draft horse 208 

criticisms 214 

description 213 

distribution 215 

famous show animals 212 

improvement 209 

in America 211 

native home 208 

organizations and records 215 

origin 208 

popularity 212 

types 209 

uses 215 

Belgian Horse Society 216 

Bell Bros 205 

Bellfounder 116 

Bingen 125 

Biting 392 

Bits 396 

Bitting the horse 378 

Blake tribe 219 

Blanketing the horse 363 

Blankets, tearing 393 

Blemish 43 

^8 



INDEX 



459 



Page 

Blindness 44 

Blinds on bridle 398 

Blisters 421 

Bloomfield Champion (95) 191 

Blunt, Lady Anne 83 

Body of the horse 22 

Bog spavin 48 

Boils, collar 45 

Bonaparte 174 

Bones 34 

Bone spavin 48 

Borden, Spencer 84 

Boulonnais draft horse 183 

Box and straight stalls 413 

Brabancon horse 209 

Brabant horse 213 

Bradley, Peter B 84 

Brain 41 

Bran, wheat 350 

Breast harness 402 

Breeching and holdbacks 403 

Breeds 309 

of horses 67 

origin of 67 

study necessary 77 

type 267 

Breeders' Associations 442 

Breeding 252 

crossing 261 

fertility 259 

grading 260 

heredity 258 

prepotency 258 

selection 255 

sterility 259 

variation 252 

Breeding horses 263 

brood mare 274 

conditions favorable 264 

farmers' horse 303 

farmers' limitations 302 

for farm and market 302 

lien laws 270 

mare 268 

mechanical power 264 

number produced 263 

practical plan 265 

pregnant mare 283 

productive period of mare 275 

season to breed 277 

selecting animals 266 

stallion 268 

uniformity 271 

Breeding hopples 273 

Breeding jacks 296 

selecting stock 296 

Breeding mules 295 

number produced 295 

selecting stock 300 

Breton draft horse 184 

Brewer's grains 351 

Bridle and check rein 495 

Bridle bits 396 

Briggs, H. A 212 

Broncho 238 



Page 

Brood mare 268 

breeding 280 

care of 274 

foaling time 286 

pregnant 283 

productive period 275 

Brown, G. E 205 

Brown, Marcus 175 

Brush, body 361 

Bunions 47 

Burges, R. and Son 147 

Burgess Bros 205 

"Bush" 322 

Bush-Brown, H. K 83 

Byerly Turk 90 

C 

Carbohydrates in food 326 

Canada, inspection of horses 438 

Canadian horses 237 

Canadian pacers 117 

Canter 112 

Care of the horse 360 

Carmon 122 

Carriage horse 315 

Cart horse 199 

Cartilage 35 

Cassatt, A. J 138 

Castleman, John B 114 

Castleman, Maj. David 114 

Catalonian Jack 243 

Cataract 432 

Catarrhal fever 425 

Catarrh, observing. 44 

Cayuse 238 

Cereal grains 346 

Cereal hay 355 

Chapin, Henry 83 

Characters of the horse 11 

Cheapening crop production 4 

Check rein 395 

Chorea 433 

Chunk horse class 313 

Circulatory system 37 

Clark, N. P 193 

Classes of staUions in France 146 

Clay family 123 

Cleanliness in horse barn 411 

Cleveland Bay coach horse 161 

criticisms 168 

decline 162 

description 165 

distribution 167 

in America 165 

native home 161 

organizations and records 167 

origin 161 

uses 166 

Clipping the horse 362 

Clover hay 354 

Clyde, aUas Glancer (153) 191 

Clydesdale draft horse 188 

criticisms 197 

description 194 

development 189 

distribution 197 

famous sires. 190, 193 



460 



INDEX 



Page 
Clydesdale draft horse 

in America 193 

native home 188 

organizations and records 198 

origin 188 

show animals 194 

uses 197 

Clydesdale Horse Association 198 

Coach breeds 73 

Cochrane, M. H 138 

Cocked ankle 46 

Colic 424 

Collars 400 

fitting 401 

Colonial horses 234 

Color 308 

Colorado stud 122 

Colt 287 

care of feet 293 

castration 294 

Commercial feeds 350 

"Company plan" of breeding horses 266 

Compound 242 

Concentrates for the horse 346 

Condition 308 

Condroz horse 209 

Conestoga horses 236 

Connective tissue 37 

Constipation in foal 287 

Convenience in horse barn 412 

Cook, A. W 177 

"Coon footed" 322 

Co-operative breeding 266 

Corn for horses 347 

and oats 348 

forage 356 

labor to produce 4 

stalks 356 

Corns 47 

Corsa, W. S 178 

Cost, of horse labor 337 

of ration 334 

Cotton mule class 321 

Cottonseed meal 351 

Cowpeas 349 

Cow's milk for foal 291 

Crest, broken ., 44 

Cribbing 54 

Crisp's Horse of Ufford (404) 218 

Crops, cheapening production 4 

Crossing 255 

in horse breeding 261 

Crouch, J. and Son 157, 212 

Crupper and back strap 402 

Curb 48 

Curry comb 361 

Cushman, A. P 175 

D 

Darley Arabian 90 

Darnley (222) 191 

Dartmoor pony 231 

Davenport, Homer 84 

Deafness 44 

Denmark, F. S. (foundation stock) 107 

Derby race meeting 99 

Diarrhea 289 



Page 

Digestible nutrients 328 

Digestion of food 327 

conditions favoring 328 

foods that aid 358 

Digestive system 39 

Diligence 174 

Dillon, Ellis 177 

Dillon, Miss Ethelred 83 

Dimensions of articular angles 29 

of the parts 26 

Diseased horses 419, 439 

Distemper 425 

observing 44 

Doble, Budd 132 

Draft breeds 71 

Draft horse, class 311 

for heavy work 305 

Draft mule, class 320 

Drainage about the barn 407 

Drenching 42 1 

Dry matter in body 323 

Dunham Bros 147, 212 

Dunham, M. W 147, 177 

E 

East Friesland horse 156 

East Prussian horse 154 

Eclipse 91 

Economic value of the horse 6 

Education 307 

Edwards, W. J 176 

Elbow, capped 45 

Electioneer '. 119 

Elliot, S. B 226 

Enemas or injections 422 

EngUsh Black Horse 199 

English Cart Horse Society 207 

English Speed Records 102 

Environment 254 

Eohippus 58 

Ephippus 58 

Equus 61 

asinus . 65 

caballus 65 

hemionus 65 

Przewalskii 65 

Ergot 358 

Evolution, causes of 63 

in teeth and feet 62 

of the horse 57 

Exmoor pony 229 

Export mule class 321 

Exports of horses and mules 444 

External application of medicine... 421 

F 

Fairs and horse improvement 172 

Fall foals 279 

False mouth 54 

Farmer's horse 303 

Farm mule class 320 

Fat in food • 326 

Fattening horses and mules 344 

Faults, common 42 

"Feather" 196 

Feeding horses 334 

amount to feed 339 



INDEX 



461 



Page 

Feeding horses 

changing foods 335 

food to grow a horse 336 

grains 346 

hay and forage. 353 

individuaUty in feeding 340 

order of supplying food 334 

principles 323 

regularity 334 

the driving horse 341 

the idle horse 341 

the stalUon 342 

the work horse 338 

watering and feeding 339 

Feeding mules 343 

Feeding pregnant mare 284 

Feeding sick horse 420 

Feeding standards 330 

Feeding stuffs, composition of 448 

energy value of 446 

fertilizing constituents of 448 

weights 446 

Feeding the foal 290 

Feet, care of colt 293 

care of horse 368 

Fertility 259 

Fertilizing constituents of feeding 

stuffs 448 

Fetlocks, unsound 46 

Fields, W. M 205 

FilUes, breeding 275 

Firing 422 

Fistula 45 

Flanders horse 209, 213 

Flooring materials for barn 415 

Fly blanket and net 364 

Foal 287 

ailments 287 

castration 294 

catching 374 

development 293 

driving with lines 376 

exercise 293 

fall 279 

feeding 290 

Jack 298 

leading 374 

spring 277 

training 374 

weaning 291 

FoaHng time 286 

Food 324 

composition 324 

digestibility 327 

preparation 336 

that aids digestion 358 

uses 326 

Forage 353 

Forbes, J. M 126 

Ford, James 138 

Forequarters of the horse 21 

Forging 49 

Form in horses 16 

Founder 47 

Fox trot 113 

French Coach horse 143 

coach type 148 

description 148 



French coach horse 

development 143 

distribution 150 

in America 147 

native home 143 

notable animals 147 

organizations and records 150 

origin 143 

speed records 149 

trotting type 149 

uses 150 

French draft horse 183 

Association 187 

criticisms 187 

organizations and records 186 

French methods for improving the 

horse 145 

Fruits 358 

FuUington and Martin 175 

G 

Gaits of saddle horse 112 

Galbraith Bros 205 

GallipoH 170 

Geers, E. F 132 

General Gates 122 

General purpose horse 303 

General Stud Book 105 

George Wilkes 119 

German Coach horse 151 

criticisms 160 

description 160 

distribution 159 

improving 153 

in America 157 

native home 151 

organizations and records 159 

origin 151 

types and breeds 153 

uses 159 

German horses (see German Coach 

horse) 

German supervision of horse breeding 153 

Gestation period in the mare 284 

Giant Leicestershire horse 199 

Glancer (153) 191 

Glanders, observing 44 

Gluten meal or feed 351 

Godolphin 170 

Godolphin Barb 90 

Grading in horse breeding '. 260 

Grain 346 

for the foal 291 

for the horse 346 

gorging 393 

Gravel 46 

Grease heel 46 

Great Horse 199 

Green forage 357 

"Green horse" 322 

Green Mountain Maid 125 

Grey Clyde (78) 193 

Grooming 361 

Guy line 382 

H 

Hackney Coach horse 135 



462 



INDEX 



Page 
Hackney Coach horse 

action 141 

description 140 

development 136 

distribution 142 

famous animals 139 

in America 138 

native home 135 

organizations and records 142 

origin 135 

uses 142 

Hackney Horse Society 142 

Hadban 80 

Hageland horse 209 

Hainaut horse 209 

Hal family 123 

Halter pulling 390 

Hambletonian (10) 117 

Hambletonian family 119 

Hamilton, C. A 221 

Hanoverian horse 155 

Happy Medium 119 

Harness, care of 404 

repair kit 406 

room or closets 415 

Harnessing the horse 395 

the horse difficult 391 

Hartman stock farm 84 

Hay 353 

Head and neck 20 

Heart 37 

Heaves 49 

Heavy type 14 

Height in horses 15 

Heredity 258 

Herod (King Herod) 91 

Hesbaye horse 209 

Heyl. Peter 83 

Hindquarters of the horse 22 

"Hipped" 322 

History of the horse 56 

Hobert, A. B 139, 157. 212 

"Hog back" 322 

Holloway, Robert 193 

Holstein horse 155 

Holmes, Samuel 176 

Homdani 80 

Honest Tom (1105) 203 

Hoof growth 368 

cracked 46. 429 

Hopley, Peter & Son 221 

Housings 401 

Humane collar 400 

Human time, saving 2 

Huntington, R 83 

Hypohippus 60 

Hyracotherium 58 

I 

Ijams. W. P 126 

Importance of the horse 1 

Imports of horses and "mules 444 

In-breeding 262 

Indian pony 238 

Indigestion 423 

Individuality in horse breeding 256 

Influenza 426 



Page 

Injections or enemas 422 

Inspection of horses and mules .... 436 

InsuU, Samuel 221 

Interfering 49 

Intestines, capacity 41 

Irish pony 232 

Irregular teeth 54 

Italian Jack 244 

J 

"Jack" 322 

Jack 240 

breeds 76. 241 

foal 298 

for breeding 296 

for mule breeding 246 

organizations and records 247 

Jack and Jennet Breeders' Associa- 
tion 247 

Jard 48 

Jelfon 80 

Jennet 296 

foal 298 

for breeding 296 

pregnant 297 

John Bull 204 

Jones and Taylor 147 

Jones. C. M 178 

Jordan, E. D 139 

Judge, requirements of 7 

Judging, comparative 24 

Judging a horse 7 

in harness 25 

in the stable 24 

method 9 

Judging pavilion 7 

Justin, Morgan 121 

K 

Keheilet, Ajuz 80 

Keir Peggy 191 

Kerr, W. C 230 

Kicking 388 

King's mares 90 

Knee, unsound 45 

Knuckling 46 

L 

Labor-saving appliances 417 

Lameness 49 

Laminitis 47 

La Perche 169 

Laryngeal hemiplegia 433 

Laws and regulations 430 

lien laws 270 

Lefebure & Son 212 

Leguminous grains 349 

Lexington Thoroughbred horse 103 

Ligaments ^7 

Light in horse barn ^lu 

"Light in timber" 322 

Light type • • • 1^ 

breeds o^ 

horse for light work 309 

Line-breeding 261 



INDEX 



463 



Page 

Linseed meal 351 

Lochlyoch's Black Horse 189 

Lou Dillon 127 

Louis Napoleon 175 

Lungs 39 

"Lunker" 322 

M 

Maintenance ration 329 

Majorca Jack 244 

Maltese Jack 242 

Mambrino family 122 

Management of the horse 360 

Mane and tail comb 361 

Maneghi 80 

Mangers and grain boxes 414 

Man labor and horse labor 2 

Manures, care of 418 

Mare (see brood mare) 

Market classes of horses 310 

carriage 315 

chunks 313 

draft 311 

road horses 317 

saddle horse 318 

wagons 314 

Market classes of mules 320 

cotton mules 321 

draft mules 320 

export mules 321 

farm mules 320 

mining mules 320 

sugar mules 321 

Market requirements 306 

action 308 

age 308 

appearance 306 

breed 309 

color 308 

condition 308 

education 307 

matched teams 309 

quality 307 

sex 309 

soundness 307 

Market horse 306 

Market terms . . . • 322 

Marvin, Charles 132 

Massion, N 212 

Matched teams 309 

Matchem 92 

Mating in horse breeding 257 

McDonald Bros 132 

McKinney 126 

McLaughlin Bros 147, 178, 212 

McMillan, H. G 177 

McNitt, James 174 

Measuring the angles 31 

Measurements, of the horse 27 

of draft horses 28 

of light horses 28 

Mechanics of the horse 32 

Medicine, giving 420 

Mesohippus 59 

Messenger 116 

Mexican pony 239 

Mexico inspection of horses 438 



Page 

"Michigan pads" 322 

Milk teeth 51 

Millet 358 

hay 356 

Mining mule class 320 

Miss Russell 125 

Molasses 352 

Montgomery, A. & W 192 

Morgan family 121 

Mud fever. 428 

Mule 248 

characteristics 249 

distribution 251 

endurance 250 

hybrid 248 

in America 248 

organizations and records 251 

resistance to disease 250 

uses 251 

Mule-breeding Jacks 300 

Mule breeding (see breeding mules) 

Murphy, T. W 132 

Muscles 36 

Mustang 238 

N 

Narragansett pacers 117 

National French Draft Horse Asso- 
ciation 187 

National register of Norman horses 181 

Navel infection 289 

Navicular disease 47 

Nervous system 41 

New England horses 236 

New Forest pony 230 

New York horses 235 

"Nicked" 322 

Nivemais draft horse 185 

Normandy 175 

Number of horses 5 

of horses per man 1 

Nursing a sick horse 419 

Nutritive ratio 331 

O 

Oaks race meeting 99 

Oats 346 

and corn 348 

Oldenburg horse 155 

Old Fanny Cook 97 

OrloflF Trotter 132 

Orohippus 58 

Outdoor blanket 364 

Overreaching 49 

P 

Pabst, Fred 139 

Pacing horse (see Standardbred) 

Pacing records 131 

records reduced 130 

standard 128 

Packington Blind Horse 203 

Paddocks for breeding stock 418 

Parahippus 60 

Parker, J. J 177 



464 



INDEX 



Page 

"Parrot mouth" ^22 

Parturition difficult 42y 

Patent stock foods -i^^ 

pSf°!!-.::::::::::::::::::::;--- 349 

Pedigree in horse breeding 257 

Percheron draft horse 169 

description 1^° 

deterioration yj' 

distribution 1°J^ 

early development 17U 

early importers 17o 

endurance ]'_^ 

famous show animals i-'o 

famous sires 175 

improvement i '^ 

in America 1^4 

native home • l^y 

organizations and records l»i 

origin \% 

uses • • • .• • ^'^ 

Percheron-Norman Horse Associa- 

tion 181 

Percheron Registry Company 1«^ 

Percheron Society of America 1»^ 

Percheron Stud Book 1»^ 

Periodic ophthalmia 4^/ 

Permanent teeth ^^ 

Peter the Great i^^ 

Picardy draft horse l»o 

Pick's Turf Register 1"^ 

Pilot family 12J 

Pink eye 426 

Phohippus ^" 

Plowing the soil • • fi 

Pneumatic collar 4uu 

Pocahontas ^' 

Points of the horse i a 

Poitou Jack -'45 

Poll evil 49 

Polo, Association ^^^ 

pony ^^^ 

Ponies ^-ti 

Pony breeds • • • • • • • • 'i 

Powell Bros 147, 193, 205 

Power in draft horses ^^ 

Pregnant mare ^°^ 

feeding 284 

working ^°^ 

Prehistoric horse Jl' 

Prepotency f ^° 

Prince of Wales (673 191 

Prince WiUiam (3956) 203 

Productive ration ■*:?" 

Proportions of the horse ;f o 

unit of jti 

Protein in food •'^^ 

Protohippus °" 

Protorohippus ^? 

Przewalsky's horse oo 

Public stallions in France l4o 

Pulmonary emphysemia 444 

Q 

Quality • ^J5 

in horses ^' 

Quarantine of horses 44y 



Page 
Quittor 46 

R 

Racing in England - 89 

Racing Register i"4 

Rack '^^'^ 

Ramsdeli.' J. A. P 83 

Range horse class ;5iy 

Rarey's safety harness 4SZ 

throwing harness 383 

Ration ^29 

balanced ■^•^^ 

computing 342 

cost.. ^^4 

nutritive ^^^ 

sample 344 

Records of performance 6» 

Registration boards 434 

Respiratory system ^9 

Rhode Island pacers 11' 

Ringbones ^6 

Road horse class • -si ' 

Roaring. •••••• .3^ 

Robinson, A. L 1 '^^ 

Rolling ■•■ 393 

Roofing materials for barn 41/ 

Roots and tubers ^^ ' 

"Rough behind" -^^^ 

"Rounding hock" ^^^ 

Royal Gift 242 

Rules of scoring a horse i i 

Ruuning away ^»» 

Running records reduced 1U4 

Running walk 11^ 

Rye 348 

S 

Saddle and back band . .... 403 

Saddle horse (see American Saddle 

horse) _-, 

Salting the horse 346 

Sanders, J. H ■ Jfl 

Schleswig horse ^^o 

Score card ^ 

i ^ purpose of Z^ 

using....... jV 

Scoring, rules of • ■ • ^i 

Scratches..... 46, 429 

Selection m horse breeding -^^g 

CgY 4uy 

Shading field tube 220 

Shales m 

Shammar race '° 

Sheath, bone 4^/ 

Shetland pony ^^^ 

description ;£ ^° 

in America. ^^^ 

Shetland Pony Club 22/ 

Shire draft horse i^^ 

criticisms ;?"' 

description ^^^ 

distribution ;f J^' 

early types ^"^ 

famous show animals ^^^ 

famous sires ;^"^ 

in America ^"4 



INDEX 



46- 



Page 

Shire draft horse 

native home 199 

organizations and records 207 

origin 199 

uses 207 

Shire Horse Society 207 

Shoeing the horse 369 

difficult 393 

Shoes for unsound feet 372 

Shoulder, sore 45, 427 

sweenied 45, 427 

Sidebones 46 

Silage 357 

Singmaster and Brother 147 

Singmaster W 177 

Skeleton 35 

Slow pace 113 

Smith's Horse (1110) 218 

"Smooth Mouth" 322 

Soil, plowing 3 

Soundness 307 

as a qualification 431 

in horse breeding 270 

Spavin 48 

Species of the horse 65 

"Speck in eye" 322 

Speed in light horses 32 

Speed records, French Coach horse 149 

of Percheron 173 

running 101 

trotting and pacing 130 

Splan, John 132 

Splints 45 

Spring foals 277 

Stable blanket 364 

Stable whims 391 

Stallion 268 

fee 269 

laws 430 

Stalls 413 

Standardbred horse 115 

chart showing descent 120 

description 127 

families 118 

famous brood mares 124 

famous drivers 132 

famous present-day sires 125 

famous prices paid 126 

influence of standard 129 

organizations and records 132 

origin 3115 

source of blood 115 

State stallion laws 430 

result of 435 

Statistics of horses and mules 443 

Steel collar 400 

Sterility 259 

Stetson, Ezra 177 

Stevens, F. C ■. 139 

St. Leger race meeting 99 

Stomach, capacity 41 

Strangles 425 

Straw 356 

Stringhalt 48 

Strong Horse 199 

Stubblefield Bros 177 

Stubbs, D. P ,,, 212 



Page 

Stud book 68 

Student's score card 11 

"Stump sucker" 322 

Success 176 

Succulent foods 356 

Suffolk draft horse 217 

criticisms 224 

description , 221 

distribution 224 

improvement 220 

in America 221 

native home 217 

organizations and records 224 

origin 218 

show animals 221 

tribes 219 

uses 224 

Suffolk foundation 218 

Suffolk Horse Association 224 

Sugar mule class 321 

Sweat pads 401 

Sweenied shoulder 45, 427 

Sweet Marie 127 

T 

Tail sore 48 

Taylor and Jones 147 

Teams, size of 3 

Teeth, care of 366 

decayed 44 

number 50 

Temperament in horses 19 

Temperature in stable 365 

Tendons 36 

Thoroughbred horse 88 

description 98 

famous mares 95 

foundation stock 90 

improvement 92 

in America 97 

Lexington 103 

native horse 88 

notable animals 94 

organizations and records 104 

origin 88 

popularity 103 

record prices 97 

speed records 101 

Thoroughpen 48 

Thrush 47 

Tilling the soil 3 

Time, saving 2 

Time, trotting and pacing records 130 

running records 101 

Timothy hay 353 

Tissue, connective 37 

Toe, seedy 47 

Tongue lolling 389 

Tossing the head 389 

Training the horse 373 

age to begin '377 

bitting 378 

hitching and driving 380 

Trakehnen horse 154 

Trot 112 

Trotting horse (see Standardbred) 



466 



INDEX 



Pago 

Trotting records 131 

reduced 130 

Trotting standard 128 

Truman. J. H 139 

TuUy, R. W 84 

Tumors, fibroid 45 

Types of horses 13 

U 

Uniformity in horse breeding 271 

Unit of proportions 29 

United States inspection of horses 436 

Unnerving 46 

Unsound 43 

Unsoundness, common 42 

Upton, Major 83 

Uses of the horse 5, 64 

V 

Value of horses and mules 5, 444 

Van Hoorebeke, A. G 211 

Variation in horses 252 

causes 253 

frequency 253 

kinds 253 

Ventilation of horse barn 409 

Vermont stud 122 

Vice 43 

of the horse 385 

Vidal, Rev. F. F 83 

Virginia horses 234 



Page 
W 

Wabash Importing Company 212 

Wagon horse class 314 

Walk 112 

Wallace, J. H 132 

Wallace's Year Book 132 

Walls of horse barn 416 

Walters, W. T 177 

Ward, A 193 

War Horse 199 

Water in food 324 

Watering the horse 335 

Weaning the foal 291 

Weanling, management 293 

Webb, Seward 139 

Weight in horses 16 

Welsh pony 228 

Wheat 348 

bran 350 

labor to produce 4 

Whim 43 

of the horse 385 

"Whistler" 322 

Wind, unsound 49 

Wintering the idle horse 341 

Wolff-Lehmann standard 331 

Worms 424 

Wright tribe 220 

Y 

Yorkshire Coach horse 163 

description 164 



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First Principles of Soil Fertility 

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Forage Crops Other Than Grasses 

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SoiHng Crops and the Silo 

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Land Draining 

A handbook for farmers on the principles and practice of 
draining, by Manly Miles, giving the results of his extended 
experience in laying tile drains. The directions for the laying 
out and the construction of tile drains will enable the farmer 
to avoid the errors of imperfect construction, and the disap- 
pointment that must necessarily follow^. This manual for 
practical farmers will also be found convenient for reference 
in regard to many questions that may arise in crop growing, 
aside from the special subjects of drainage of which it treats. 
Illustrated. 200 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth. .... $1.00 

Barn Plans and Outbuildings 

Two hundred and fifty-seven illustrations. A most valu- 
able work, full of ideas, hints, suggestions, plans, etc., for the 
construction of barns and outbuildings, by practical writers. 
Chapters are devoted to the economic erection and use of 
barns, grain barns, horse barns, cattle barns, sheep barns, 
cornhouses, smokehouses, icehouses, pig pens, granaries, etc. 
There are likewise chapters on birdhouses, doghouses, tool 
sheds, ventilators, roofs and roofing, doors and fastenings, 
workshops, poultry houses, manure sheds, barnyards, root pits, 
etc. 235 pages. 5x7 inches. Cloth $1.00 



Irrigation Farming 

By Lute Wilcox. A handbook for the practical applica- 
tion of water in the production of crops. A complete treatise 
on water supply, canal construction, reservoirs and ponds, 
pipes for irrigation purposes, flumes and their structure, 
methods of applying water, irrigation of field crops, the 
garden, the orchard and vineyard, windmills and pumps, 
appliances and contrivances. New edition, revised, enlarged 
and rewritten. Profusely illustrated. Over 500 pages. 5x7 
inches. Cloth, . . . . ... .... . . $2.00 



Forest Planting 

By H. Nicholas Jarchow, LL. D. A treatise on the care 
of woodlands and the restoration of the denuded timberlands 
on plains and mountains. The author has fully described 
those European methods which have proved to be most useful 
in maintaining the superb forests of the old world. This expe- 
rience has been adapted to the different climates and trees of 
America, full instructions being given for forest planting of 
our various kinds of soil and subsoil, whether on mountain 
or valley. Illustrated. 250 pages. 5 x 7 inches. Cloth. $1.50 

(14) 



Farmer's Cyclopedia 
of Agriculture ^ ^ 

A Compendium of Agricultural Science and Prac- 
tice on Farm, Orchard and Garden Crops, and the 
Feeding and Diseases of Farm Animals 

^y EARLEY VERNON WILCOX. Ph. D. 
and CLARENCE BEAMAN SMITH. M. S. 

Associate Editors in the Office of Experiment Stations, United States 
Department of Agriculture 



THIS is a new, practical, and complete 
presentation of the whole subject of ag- 
riculture in its broadest sense. It is de- 
signed for the use of agriculturists who 
desire up-to-date, reliable information 
on all matters pertaining to crops and stock, but 
more particularly for the actual farmer. The 
volume contains 

Detailed directions for the culture of every 
important field, orchard, and garden crop 

grown in America, together with descriptions of 
their chief insect pests and fungous diseases, and 
remedies for their control. It contains an ac- 
count of modern methods in feeding and handling 
all farm s'-ock, including poultry. The diseases 
; which affect different farm animals and poultry 

are described, and the most recent remedies sug- 
gested for controlling them. 

Every bit of this vast mass of new and useful 
information is authoritative, practical and easily 
found, and no effort has been spared to include 
all desirable details. There are between 6,000 
and 7,000 topics covered in these references, and 
it contains 700 royal 8vo pages and nearly 500 
superb half-tone and other original illustrations, 
making the most perfect Cyclopedia of Agricul- 
ture ever attempted. 

Handsomely bound in cloth, <^3.50; half morocco 
{-Oery jumpluouj), ■^4-.50, noslpaid 

flDAilPr llinn PnilDAIIY 315-321 Founb Avenue. New York.N. Y. 
UKAIlUt JUUU UUmi AHI, Peoples Gas Building. Chicano. IV 

^ (19; 



H 153 82 








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